A Cumbrian charity has remembered the lifelong contribution of Prince Philip.
HRH the Duke of Edinburgh’s longest charitable commitment was with The Outward Bound Trust, which is this week marking his lifelong support for the development of young people through learning and adventure in the wild.
The educational charity has three residential centres in Cumbria at Eskdale, Howtown and Ullswater and was founded in 1941 by HRH Prince Philip’s teacher and mentor Kurt Hahn.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday aged 99, became involved at the organisation’s inception as a supporter before joining its board as a patron in 1953 until his retirement in 2019.
He was an active chairman of the Board of Trustees for many years. His genuine interest in the personal development of young people meant that he was an unwavering ambassador and supporter of Outward Bound for seven decades.
Martin Cooper, director of learning and Adventure at Outward Bound remembers meeting the Duke on his last visit to Ullswater in 2016.
He said: “Although in his 90s, the Duke was still fit and active and we walked to the lake to meet a group of young people.
“In those 20 minutes he told me about his school days, Kurt Hahn’s philosophy for education, some of his Outward Bound experiences and his continued interest and compassion for the young people we work with.”
The Outward Bound Trust was co-founded in 1941 by Kurt Hahn, a German Jewish educator, and Lawrence Holt of the Blue Funnel Line. Its founding mission was to give young seamen the ability to survive harsh conditions at sea by teaching confidence, tenacity, and perseverance.
The Duke of Edinburgh was taught and mentored by Kurt Hahn at Gordonstoun School. He remained close to Hahn and his philosophies, and as a naval officer had an additional interest in the work of Outward Bound from its inception.
Eighty per cent of the young people who come to Outward Bound need financial assistance to attend. Many of them have never left their own postcode, let alone climb a mountain.
As a charity, Outward Bound provide all kit and resources so no young person need miss out.
Nick Barrett, CEO of Outward Bound remembers the Duke of Edinburgh as a force of nature in gathering support for young people.
“He would stand before a group of potential donors and tell them ‘a good business makes money, a good charity needs money’. He was a wonderful patron. It was easy to like him and easy to admire him,” said Nick.
If you would like to donate to The Outward Bound Trust in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh visit: outwardbound.org.uk/DoEmemory
