The Ulysses Trust, a charity that supports challenging and adventurous expeditions for members of the UK’s Volunteer Reserve and Cadet Forces, is honoured to announce that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has become its Royal Patron.
The Trust, founded in 1992, aims to foster confidence, resilience, and self-awareness in young people by providing funding and expert guidance for expeditions that develop leadership, teamwork, and core values such as courage, respect, and integrity. These experiences also equip young people with vital life skills, including resourcefulness, risk-awareness, and sound judgment.
The Duke of Edinburgh brings a deep and long-standing commitment to the development of the Reserve and Cadet Forces and supporting young people to reach their full potential. With many Ulysses Trust expeditions supporting The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) participants, this new partnership is a natural alignment of shared values and goals to empower young people and build resilience through challenge and adventure.
Brigadier Tim Seal TD DL VR, Chair of The Ulysses Trust, expressed his gratitude for The Duke of Edinburgh’s patronage, stating, “We are deeply honoured to have The Duke of Edinburgh as our Royal Patron. His Royal Highness’s advocacy for youth development and his close connection with the Cadet Forces and Reserve community reflect the very heart of our work. His patronage will be a source of immense inspiration for the young people we support and a powerful endorsement of the life-changing impact of adventurous activity.”
The Duke’s patronage further demonstrates his commitment to supporting young people and promoting service, skills, and resilience, all values that are central to the Trust’s mission. Since its inception, the Trust has supported over 44,000 individuals on over 3,100 expeditions, ranging from grassroots DofE journeys in the UK to extraordinary feats such as crossing Antarctica, sailing the Atlantic, or summitting the world’s highest peaks. The Trust’s funding and guidance are particularly important for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them become capable, confident, and employable members of society.
For more information about The Ulysses Trust and its work, please visit: www.ulyssestrust.co.uk.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.