Thetford twins share inspirational DofE journey with The Duke of Edinburgh
Taylor and Tyler Mark-Conlon recognised for resilience at Gold Award event
Twins Taylor and Tyler Mark-Conlon, aged 19 from Thetford, Norfolk, shared their remarkable Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) journey with His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at a celebration event hosted at Buckingham Palace.
The twins, who grew up in foster care, were recognised for achieving their Gold DofE Award, joining thousands of young people and their families for a festival-style celebration in the Palace Garden on Friday, 22nd May.
A Journey of Resilience
The event celebrated the perseverance, creativity, and resilience of over 9,000 young participants from across the UK.
Taylor and Tyler completed their DofE at Thetford Academy and continue to inspire future participants by volunteering at the school.
Taylor shared his experiences during a personal exchange with The Duke, saying, “We did all of our DofE levels together. Now we both volunteer at the school... I’ve signed up for my Mountain Leader qualification.”
The Duke offered his encouragement, saying, “Good luck – you’ll have lots of fun doing that. Well done.”
Personal Achievements and Future Aspirations
Despite growing up in foster care, the twins have forged paths of personal growth with support from the DofE programme.
Tyler, now studying Chemistry at the University of York, aspires to progress onto a master's degree and pursue a career in research.
He reflected, “The DofE helped me discover my love for camping and hiking... I now have qualifications to teach and lead the programme as well.”
Similarly, Taylor, studying BSc Physical Geography at the University of Sheffield, has harnessed his passion for the outdoors and leadership.
He remarked, “Completing my Bronze Award... pushed me to be creative and spend more time outdoors.”
Community Impact and Celebrations
The Buckingham Palace Garden event featured giant deckchairs, bunting, and activities in recognition of the DofE charity's 70th anniversary.
Attendees were inspired by speeches from celebrities including Jake Humphrey, who stressed, “Moments like this are not earned through comfort, they are earned through challenge.”
Days before, The Duke marked 40 years since receiving his Gold Award, sharing a personal anecdote in the DofE’s 70th anniversary digital scrapbook.
Ruth Marvel OBE, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, expressed gratitude for the volunteers and supporters, celebrating opportunities that build confidence and resilience.
The DofE continues to empower young individuals to explore their potential, find their passions, and develop essential life skills, as highlighted by Taylor and Tyler's achievements.