News

Rickmansworth and Watford Sea Cadets volunteer Nina Guppy won the Most Flexible Volunteer Award at an inaugural prize-giving.

To mark its first anniversary, #TeamHerts Volunteering held an awards celebration to recognise and reward the achievements of volunteers and charities across the county.

Nina was selected by the judges for giving her time to her unit as an events assistant. She is also training to qualify as an instructor in paddlesport, sailing and expedition leadership.

The Chairman of Rickmansworth and Watford Sea Cadets, Fabian Hiscock, who put Nina forward for the award, said: "Her extraordinary flexibility and willingness to take on new challenges has provided an astonishing demonstration of selfless and highly effective volunteering, and has had a major influence over the working of our Sea Cadets unit."

The award coincides with Volunteers' Week, which runs until 7 June. Sea Cadets is marking the event to recognise its 9,000 volunteers.

Congratulations to our amazing Vitality 10,000 runners, who took the the capital on Bank Holiday Monday to raise money for Sea Cadets.

The 10k race was the first in a series of challenge events this year and next year that will raise money for the charity.

Sea Cadets' runners included family-of-three Robin, Linda and Charlie, and Middlehill Activity Centre volunteer Charlotte.

There are still places available in some of our challenge events, including the Royal Parks Half-Marathon and the Snowdon Triple Challenge. Fundraisers, who will need to raise a minimum amount, will be supported every step of the way. To find out more and register your interest, visit http://www.sea-cadets.org/events

Marine Society and Sea Cadets would like to wish good luck to all those who are taking their exams.

We aim to be the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning, and many associated with the charity will be sitting SATs, GCSEs and A-Levels.

Marine Society offers tailored learning programmes to seafarers, with qualifications such as GCSEs and A-Levels available. Cadets, meanwhile, will also be taking these exams, as well as SATs.

GCSE exams got under way this week, while A-Levels will be taken later this summer.

You can find out more about the programmes and qualifications Marine Society offers here: http://www.marine-society.org/education-hub

Eight men will cycle 1,200 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End in aid of Chelmsford Sea Cadets and other good causes.

The group, who will set off from the Scottish village on Wednesday 17 May, are aiming to raise £2,000, and a further £4,000 for homelessness charities No Second Night Out and Whitechapel Mission.

Nigel Bunton, a former Commanding Officer at Chelmsford Sea Cadets, said: “For me, Sea Cadets gives children of all backgrounds equal opportunities.

“If someone wants to go on a course or earn a qualification, the funding can be provided. You wouldn’t find that anywhere else. Everyone is treated the same.

“It would be great if more people could volunteer, as it really does make a difference to young people. It’s a cause very close to my heart.”

Nigel will be joined on the 11-day cycle by Chris Watson, Chris Bagshaw, Mike Fitzgibbon, David Hamer, Sean Dunn, Dave Chitty and Stephen Butterworth. Keith Chapman will accompany the group as a driver.

Speaking about the challenge ahead, Nigel said: “The group are different levels – we have three club cyclists, some novices, and everything in-between, so it will be interesting to see how it goes.

“We’re all looking forward to the challenge and to raising as much money for our chosen charities as possible.”

Follow the group and sponsor their efforts at: http://cyclingknights.uk/. 

On the last weekend of April, cadets battled it out once again at the annual Drill and Piping Competition. The best units and detachments were selected from their areas to compete amongst each other to win ‘The National Boxing Cup’ – the trophy given to the best performing area. This year the competition was held at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall and Southern Area were crowned champions after performing exceptionally well in ‘unarmed squad’ classifications.
 
Area Officer for Southern Area, Cdr Trevor Price RN, said: “The military precision, timing and elegance of the displays was inspiring. Certainly the best I have seen during a 30 year career. I am exceptionally proud that Southern Area won the overall competition. I am also very grateful for the time and tremendous effort both cadets and volunteers have all taken to prepare for and attend the competition”.
 
The full results of each category are below:
 

Overall winning area
The National Boxing cup (overall winners) -  SOUTHERN AREA
 

Unarmed squad trophies
Best arena display squad - Southern Area - PORTSMOUTH UNIT
Best Sea Cadets squad commander - Southern Area - PORTSMOUTH UNIT
Best Sea Cadets unarmed squad - Sothern Area - PORTSMOUTH UNIT
 

Sea Cadets armed guard trophies
Best arena display (guard) - South West Area - WESTON-SUPER-MARE UNIT
Best Sea Cadets Guard Commander – North West Area - CITY OF LIVERPOOL UNIT
Best Sea Cadets armed guard – South West Area - WESTON-SUPER-MARE UNIT
 

Royal Marines Cadets armed guard trophies
Best arena display – Eastern Area - HULL RMCD
Best RMC Guard Commander – Eastern Area - HULL RMCD
BEST RMC guard – Eastern Area - HULL RMCD
 

Piping Trophies                
Best individual piping -   Eastern Area - FLITWICK & AMPTHILL UNIT
Best piping team - Eastern Area - FLITWICK & AMPTHILL UNIT
Best Sea Cadets colour party – Southern Area - PORTSMOUTH UNIT