News Information

Here at the Duke of York Community Initiative we not only encourage news posts from the DOYCI itself, but also from our Award Holders. We want to hear and want others to read about the continued growth and successes of the initiatives helped over the duration of their course.

News about charitable initiatives in Yorkshire

Date: 10-11-09

At the Duke of York Community Initiative awareness event at Drax Power Station on 10^th November 2009 it was announced that two new initiatives are supporting DOYCI. The Yorkshire 1% Club had now been established to encourage businesses to provide 1% of their net profit to DOYCI which will then be distributed to good causes throughout our region. For more information contact cps@chrisleech.com

The second announcement was that any funding derived from the unveiling of the Fred Trueman statue, in Skipton in 2010 will be distributed by DOYCI to youth organisations linked to sport and art across Yorkshire.

Duke of York Speech 11th February 2009 - Leeds

Date: 23-03-09

As the Duke of York I have an emotional attachment to Yorkshire, I try to demonstrate this through a number of different ways, through my business of the royal family and through trade and investment. United Kingdom representative for trade and investment.

The aim of this initiative is to bring all aspects of life together through community. I think it is very important that we remember community especially at a time like this. I enjoy my connection and look forward to continuing my connection with this initiative.

Community cohesion at this time, in this year especially is more important than it has been in a very long time. A lot of people are feeling worried, strained, stressed or have some issue caused by something other than of their own doing. I know that everybody is feeling concern for their pocket and their livelihood bearing in mind the economic situation.

It is through local communities, projects tha we can pull together. For a number of years communities have probably not had to pull together to work through a problem like this current problem.

Yes it is the responsibility of the Government to create the conditions for recovery but actually there is a huge amount we can all do together to move that process forward.

The Community Initiative is one area that I think focuses peoples’ minds on the needs of others. They collaborate and work together. Here we are probably slightly more fortunate than others. As I stand I am perhaps more fortunate that many others and I see it as my responsibility as a member of the royal family to come not only to Yorkshire but around the UK in order to offer help encouragement and congratulate organisations, people, individuals, businesses and educational establishments on what they are doing to make life better for themselves, their communities and their families. I would like to congratulate you all on what you have achieved.

This initiative goes beyond recognising the fundamental work that is going on beyond the private sector. It is about being able to recognise what I would say is social leadership. Entrepreneurism in a different way. You are all doing something entrepreneurial in one way or another. Not only the community initiative as it is up here but also what they have done as individuals.

As far as you younger ones are concerned remember how important these community projects are to you, your school and your community. The opportunities that you receive at school and opportunities and challenges that you have to rise to are given to you because the world is extremely challenging. It is probably more challenging than it has been for a few years.

Lastly I would like to say Thank you for the enormous amount of support and work that you have given to the initiative. Not only those who sponsor , for which we are extremely grateful, but also the people who assess without which we don’t know what it is that needs to be recognised in the community and again those of you who have either won or renewed awards. Congratulations on the work that you do in the community. I just hope that we continue to recognise the good work that goes on.

HRH PRINCE ANDREW TO PRESENT COMMUNITY AWARDS

Press Release
Date: 09-02-2009

HRH Prince Andrew will be presenting awards to the Community Award winners from the Duke of York Community Initiative (DYCI). On, Wednesday, February 11th.

The exciting event will be held at the David Young Community Academy, Seacroft, where the HRH will meet the people who have contributed to and excelled in developing community spirit this includes 13 awards also 5 leadership awards.

The event will be opened by Keith Madeley, Chairman of the DYCI, welcoming HRH, special guests and award winners. The awards ceremony is a significant event which encourages communities to continue to work together by developing projects and initiatives.

Keith Madeley, Chairman of the DYCI, says, “As Chairman of the Duke of York Community Initiative, it is a great pleasure to see that HRH has personally come to present these awards. Every year the assessors on the initiative are inundated with applications and we see some really worthy causes, and this year has been no different. These awards not only enhance community spirit, but get people working together for a common cause.”

There will also be a cheque presentation by the Yorkshire Society to the charity, North Yorkshire Music Therapy. This special recognition will highlight the charity’s work with people with disabilities and disadvantaged children, communicating through the art of music, changing lives.

‘The DYCI is gaining pace – the website has been redesigned and Chris Leech from Community Partnerships has been approached to develop a new strategy’, said Keith Madeley’, Chairman of the DYCI. ‘It will include a new emphasis to engage young people, involving their enthusiasm in the communities in which they live in. This will be a place where people can be inspired and motivated, as well as obtaining advice and support’, he added.

‘As people begin to feel less stable and less secure about their lives, then their sense of identity and of belonging to their community becomes more important. I am very proud that Community Partnership Solutions was approached to develop a new strategy for a new era, on behalf of HRH the Duke of York,’ says Chris Leech MBE, Director Community Partnership Solutions.