A YOUNG Pembrokeshire man has shared his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award story with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace.

Alex Underwood, 20, from Narberth, was recognised at a Gold Award celebration in the Buckingham Palace Garden on Wednesday, May 20.

Alex, who completed his DofE at Portfield School in Haverfordwest, met the Duke during the event and spoke to him about his journey through the scheme.

When asked by the Duke what stood out most about completing his Gold Award, Alex replied: “The expedition was my favourite. We went in dry and came out wet.”

Alex, who has additional needs, completed his Physical section with Puffins Disability Swimming Squad at his local leisure centre. For his Volunteering section, he supported a charity shop by helping to sort and price items and welcome customers. His Skills section saw him gain hands-on experience in agriculture on a local dairy farm.

He told the Duke how the experience helped build his confidence and encouraged him to continue developing new skills.

Alex said: “I believe that completing DofE gave me confidence in my abilities and I told HRH I am now in college at Ruskin Mill, building more skills through new experiences.

“It all began with saying ‘yes’ to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Duke gave me a hearty congratulations and it was very nice to meet him.”

Alex has completed Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE Awards and is now a DofE Cymru Youth Ambassador. Last year, he won the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services Young Volunteer of the Year 2025 Award for his work in the role.

He added: “Before starting I felt a bit apprehensive about whether my learning disability would hold me back, but with support from my DofE Leader and encouragement from my teachers, I soon gained the courage to try new experiences and haven’t looked back.

“I would like to encourage more pupils with additional needs to join DofE as it is for everyone and can help them build new skills.”

The Buckingham Palace celebration was one of four events held over two days, recognising more than 9,000 young people from across the UK who have completed their Gold DofE Award.

The event, hosted by The Duke as Patron of the DofE charity, formed part of the charity’s 70th anniversary celebrations. The palace garden was transformed into a festival-style event, with activities, speakers and special anniversary features.

Guests heard from TV chef and author Jon Watts, presenter and podcaster Sam Thompson, actress Corinna Brown, F1 Academy driver Chloe Chong, musician and presenter Gareth Malone OBE, and sports presenter Hayley McQueen.

Ruth Marvel OBE, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be celebrating our amazing Gold Award holders in the Buckingham Palace Garden today, who through their DofE have shown extraordinary perseverance and resilience, and developed core skills for life.

“As young people navigate an uncertain time, we will continue to champion opportunities that build confidence, resilience and human skills for all young people.”

The DofE is open to young people aged 14 to 24 and involves volunteering, physical activity, skills development, expeditions and, at Gold level, a residential section.

Caption:

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh meets DofE Cymru Youth Ambassadors Nanw Jones (dressed in black) and Alex Underwood (in a suit)

A WELSH crash survivor who needed 100 units of blood after a near-fatal road accident is urging people across Wales to donate during National Blood Donor Week.

Richard Jones, from Neath, lost a significant amount of blood after his truck hit a barrier and overturned in Carmarthenshire in 2020.

A passer-by, who was a former Army medic, used makeshift tourniquets to stem the bleeding, while other members of the public helped keep Richard conscious until the Wales Air Ambulance arrived.

Medics gave him six units of blood at the roadside before he was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Richard spent ten days in a coma and suffered devastating injuries, including a shattered hip, multiple fractures, a torn posterior cruciate ligament and severe trauma to both legs.

His right leg was later amputated above the knee because of a severed artery. Over the following weeks, he underwent nine major operations and needed a further 94 units of blood.

Now, during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from Monday, June 8, to Sunday, June 14, Richard is thanking the strangers whose donations helped save his life.

Richard said: “At the time, I had no idea how many people it would take to save my life.

“Looking back now, it’s overwhelming to think how many strangers stepped forward to help me.

“I would just like to say a huge thank you to anyone who donates blood. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.

“You never know whose life you’re going to save or change.”

During his recovery, Richard met his partner, Michaela. The couple are now proud parents to their young son, Dougie.

Since the crash, Richard has adapted to life with a prosthetic limb and continues to share his story in the hope of encouraging others to give blood.

Alan Prosser, Director of the Welsh Blood Service, said: “We always say one donation can save three lives, but in Richard’s case, it took a community of lifesavers.

“One hundred units is a staggering amount of blood for one person to receive. It is only possible because people generously give up an hour of their time to help people in need.

“National Blood Donor Week is the highlight of our annual calendar. However, the summer months can be especially challenging, with hot weather and more donors travelling abroad affecting donation levels.

“If you can do it, try giving blood this summer and help people in their time of need, just like our donors helped Richard.”

As part of this year’s campaign, the Welsh Blood Service is bringing back its Missing Type campaign.

First launched in Wales in 2016, the campaign saw brands, businesses, organisations and members of the public remove the letters A, B and O from names and logos to highlight the importance of blood groups.

Mr Prosser added: “The original campaign inspired people across Wales to remove the letters O, A and B from social media names and business logos, encouraging people to imagine a world without these critical blood types.

“The difference it made then, and the conversations it started, are exactly why it is returning now.”

The Missing Type campaign will run throughout June, with National Blood Donor Week at its centre.

To find out more or book a blood donation, visit www.wbs.wales/NBDW26

OPPOSITION politicians have accused Wales’ new First Minister of failing to commit to major infrastructure projects on two of the country’s busiest transport corridors.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar MS challenged Rhun ap Iorwerth during First Minister’s Questions over congestion on the M4 in south Wales and the A55 in north Wales.

The exchange focused on long-running bottlenecks at the Brynglas Tunnels near Newport and the Menai Strait, where campaigners and businesses have repeatedly called for action.

Mr ap Iorwerth said his government would look at both issues, but stopped short of committing to either an M4 relief road or a third Menai crossing.

‘Get Wales moving’

Speaking after the session, Mr Millar said Plaid Cymru had already had years to set out solutions to Wales’ infrastructure problems.

He said: “We may be in the early days of a new government, but Plaid Cymru have had years to come up with solutions to longstanding traffic congestion on the M4 and A55.

“Capacity issues on Wales’ arterial routes had been kicked into the long grass for decades under Labour.

“Plaid must share responsibility for the failure to invest in Welsh infrastructure because they didn’t prioritise these projects in any of their successive budget deals with Labour.

“What we need now is a commitment to delivering the solutions of an M4 relief road and a third Menai crossing, not warm words about creating endless plans.

“It’s the Welsh Conservatives who are taking a lead on tackling the barriers to economic growth in Wales.

“Plaid Cymru must fully commit to these major infrastructure projects so we can get spades in the ground and get Wales moving.”

Economic pressure

The row is likely to become an early test of the new Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government’s approach to transport and economic growth.

While the debate has often centred on Newport and the M4, the latest exchange widened the issue to Wales’ wider road network, including the A55 and strategic links to north Wales.

For west Wales, the question of major transport investment remains highly relevant. Businesses, tourism operators, hauliers and residents in Pembrokeshire depend on reliable road and rail links to Cardiff, Bristol, London and the wider UK economy.

Congestion further east can have knock-on effects for journeys from west Wales, particularly for freight, tourism traffic, hospital appointments and business travel.

There are also continuing concerns about rail connectivity, including the need for better direct services linking west Wales with major English cities.

Plaid’s dilemma

The new Welsh Government now faces competing pressures.

Business groups and opposition politicians argue that Wales needs firm decisions on major road schemes to unlock growth, reduce delays and improve confidence.

Environmental campaigners, however, have long argued that new road capacity is expensive, increases traffic and conflicts with climate commitments.

Plaid Cymru must now decide whether to back large-scale road building, focus on public transport and rail, or attempt to balance both.

For the Conservatives, the issue is being framed as a test of whether the new administration is prepared to move beyond reviews and deliver visible infrastructure projects.

For Plaid, it is an early indication of how difficult it may be to turn long-standing criticism of Labour’s record into a deliverable programme of government.