A huge fundraising campaign to mark what would have been Prince Philip's 100th birthday has been started to help young people from challenging backgrounds make the best of themselves.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is launching #DoIt4Youth - a four-part, four-week sponsored challenge.

James McVey, lead guitarist of the Vamps and I’m a Celebrity star is team captain for the south west.

He is kicking off his challenge by running a half marathon through the Dorset countryside.

He said: “Every pound raised will go towards helping young people from the toughest backgrounds across the UK to build life-long belief in themselves through DofE.”

He will be joining young aspiring paramedic and DofE award-holder Autumn White-Moore.

Autumn said: “I am so pleased to be captain for the south west. I am challenging myself to do all those things I thought I would do in lockdown!

“My co-captain James McVey has given me my first guitar lesson. I’m going to complete my couch to 5km, give up chocolate and I’m doing a beach clean.

DofE chief executive Ruth Marvel said: “After the year we’ve had Do It 4 Youth is a fantastic opportunity for us to meet, have fun and reconnect after lockdown while raising vital funds to help young people build back after the pandemic.”

Other DofE Team Captains include Paralympian Hannah Cockroft, journalist and broadcaster Alice Beer, TV presenter Matt Johnson, Harry Potter stars James and Oliver Phelps and Strictly star and Invictus medalist JJ Chalmers.

The challenge is open to anyone with any ability and is a chance for those who have never done DofE to get a taste of what it might have been like. People can do it alone or as a team.

They can pick their own start date from June 10 but must complete it within four weeks and by September 30 2021.

To sign up to #DoIt4Youth or for more information visit dofe.org/doit4youth