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"The help I have received from Ami has been outstanding. In a 'world' that can sometimes leave a unit feeling disconnected, it's nice to know there is someone in HQ ready to provide support. Ami has helped me to produce a few documents to put towards grant applications as well as sending out letters to our local community to ask for donations. 

Together we initially produced a donation request letter after I explained our unit had spent several months trying to build funds for a new minibus. Not only did she support me in writing my request, Ami took the time to research and share with us, grants that could be of use, including the 'MSSC Minibus Fund' (which I am thrilled to say was accepted and we are now very proud owners of our very own minibus!)

Although the letter was not used as the Minibus Fund fulfilled the financial gap in our funds, I was able to utilise and adapt it for donation requests for prizes towards our raffle at the Bournemouth Air Show. This letter supported us in accessing some wonderful prizes from some very well known brands!

In the last few months, I have also been working on some grant applications. One grant being for a very large sum is yet to be confirmed, however, using the information from the application that Ami had supported me in completing, I was able to use it for a grant application towards the National Lottery's 'Awards for All' which I am also over the moon to confirm that we were successful in acheiving their highest grant to put towards a lift installation within our Unit.

There are no words that can describe the importance of this service. This team of people means that any volunteer, of any ability, in any area or district has a 100% chance of being successful, if you are willing. It isn't a service that provides a generic representation of the Sea Cadet Corps. The National Fundraising Officers work with you to support you, tailoring and personalising your individual fundraising activities to your independent unit.

Many thanks to Ami and the team for the huge amount of support they have given to myself and my unit over the last few months. 

Fingers crossed on the next grant to be confirmed!" 

- Laura Rosenfeld

Treasurer and Unit Fundraising Trustee | Unit Management Committee

On 13th September, hundreds gathered at St Katherine Dock to witness the naming and commissioning of our new yacht 'TS Sir Stelios', kindly provided by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation.
 
Businessman and philanthropist Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, best known for the easyJet low-cost airline as well as his 'easy' family of brands, was joined by cadets at the ceremony to name the new green and blue ship. He said, "I am honoured and delighted that my philanthropic foundation has been given the opportunity to help out young people who go to sea.  I wish the Training Ship Sir Stelios and all her future crews a fair wind and God speed for bright and successful times to come."
 
The Rustler 42 yacht - so named because it is 42 feet long - will enable more cadets to take part in transformational voyages at sea and enjoy the thrill and challenges of sailing first hand. Through a range of bursaries Sea Cadets endeavours to offer all it's cadets, regardless of their background, to embark on this trip of a lifetime.
 
Martin Coles, CEO said, "We are not simply celebrating a beautiful new yacht or the opportunity for cadets to go sailing. We are celebrating the addition of this new yacht as a platform or vehicle through which we are able to offer young people the Sea Cadet Experience.
 
"It is this experience that delivers the real purpose of our charity, helping young people at the most challenging times in their lives as they travel that tortuous journey from child to adult in an often overwhelming world. “Adventure that launches young people for life today."
 
Captain Sea Cadets Captain Phil Russell also attended the ceremony, and said, "The difference you see in these young people after they've been away at sea is really remarkable. Being out of their comfort zone and realising how capable they are is such a great experience, and you see the confidence shining out of them when they return."
 
We would like to thank the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, and of course Sir Stelios himself,  for believing in Sea Cadets and helping us to continue to deliver the Sea Cadets experience to young people all over the country.

The government has announced £5 million in funding for uniformed youth groups to enable more disadvantaged young people to succeed

The increased investment from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will be overseen by Youth United Foundation, a member organisation for uniformed youth groups, of which Sea Cadets are a member.

We are proud of our association with Youth United Foundation. We both share a commitment to reach vulnerable young people and provide them with opportunities to participate in weekly activities, designed to improve their wellbeing and develop important life skills.

Through a combination of water-based adventure, vocational qualifications and the development of community spirit, we empower young people, enabling them to succeed irrespective of their circumstances.

"We measure our success by the number of parents or guardians who can recognise a positive impact of Sea Cadets on their young people, communities feeling rewarded by the presence of Sea Cadets and the cadets themselves feeling empowered and connected."

There are more than 14,000 Sea cadets found in 400 communities around the country, guided by 9,000 volunteers. We have plans to grow the number of cadets by another 1,000 by 2021, with a commitment to ensuring we reach all young people, regardless of their background.

Coles adds: ‘We will continue to support the work we are doing in areas where there is the most need and are always looking for new initiatives to expand our support wherever to ensure that young people of all backgrounds are able to succeed.’

Hard on the heels of our boat work week, nine of our cadets travelled to the Royal Navy Air Station at Yeovilton for a day with the Fleet Air Arm including a flight in a Grob trainer, photographed. At the same time three of our cadets were aboard T. S. Royalist sailing her from St Malo to Weymouth and, if this was not enough, Leading Cadet Sian has also qualified as a drill instructor!  What other youth organisation can offer such a variety of adventurous and worthwhile activities?