Former Chelsea footballer Mickey Ambrose has urged Newham’s young people to sign up for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards as part of a tribute he paid to Prince Philip before the royal funeral.

Mickey, who grew up in Canning Town and Poplar but now lives in Stratford, is an Ambassador for the awards and is pictured here with his mum Mona and the Duke of Edinburgh at St James’s Palace in November 2010, just a month before she died.

Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on BBC News, Mickey said the visit had meant the world to his Dominica-born mum, a great fan of the royal family.

He told Newham Voices: “She was my rock and my soulmate, an amazing woman, and I am so glad she got to meet HRH the Duke of Edinburgh at the palace.’

Of the Duke’s work with the awards, Mickey said he witnessed the fantastic rapport the Duke had with 14-24 year olds taking part in the scheme. “He was really engaged with them and used his own experience of standing shoulder to shoulder with others fighting a war for democracy to inspire young people today.

“I would urge all young people to go to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards website and get the information they need to sign up. It will give you resilience and skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Young people from 140 countries and all cultures have benefitted and it can do the same for you.”

www.dofe.org

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