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On Saturday 25^th October 2014 between 1100 and 1600, Belfast Eagle completed their annual Shankill Road street collection. Cadets, Officers and members of the Unit Management Committee all turned up in their best uniforms to help out in the collection.

During the collection, there were unit representatives outside the Spectrum Centre, Co Op Food, Iceland, varies shops and on the main road. The total amount collected is still in the process of being counted but as usual, even with difficult times, Eagle is able to rely on the local residents of the Shankill area to help support local charities that help children gain new qualifications, skills and life time memories.  

Belfast Eagle would like to thank all the residents, shoppers, local businesses, car drivers, taxis and buses for their donations, big or small. This money raised is very much appreciated and will help towards the completion of Belfast Eagle’s new unit and towards future training of cadets.

To show our support to other charities, the staff at Eagle decided that they would participant in the Water Challenge. The purpose of this challenge is to help improve awareness and raise money for cancer charities. The challenge involves seating on a chair with your feet in a bucket of water; while a second bucket of water is poured over your head. Once the second bucket has been poured over your head, you then remove your feet from the first bucket and pour the contents over your own head. At the end of the challenge, you then nominate someone else to do the same. 

In this challenge, six members of staff participated and have nominated the other 10 units within Northern Ireland. We have given them two weeks to complete this challenge. For safety, Eagle staff decided to wear their buoyancy aids! 

On the 2^nd August 2014, representatives from Eagle attended the Royal British Legion (RBL) remembrance parade on the Montgomery Road, East Belfast, to mark 100 years of the starting of the World War 1 alongside members from TS Broadsword.

During this parade, the cadets marched through the streets around Montgomery Road until they reached the memorial. At the memorial, three of Eagle’s cadets around the memorial while the rest remained their position in the parade and joined in hymns and prayers.

Even with the terrible weather, Eagle showed that not even the rain will stop the unit parading.  

On the 1^st August 2014 Belfast Eagle’s Unit Management Committee (UMT) and Parents Committee held a Quiz Night in Sailsbury Bowling Club to raise much needed funds in support of the unit.

The evening began with a table quiz, with questions ranging from general knowledge, to brain teasers and even a picture round, which commenced in a prize giving for the winning team. There was then various raffle prizes, as well as buffet food for all guests and the night finally came to a close with a DJ and Disco for after the event as well.

The night was a huge success, with more than £600 raised towards TS Eagle!

On the 2^nd August 2014 Eagle took part in the farewell parade of TS Royalist at the Odyssey as it set sail from Belfast for the last time. This occasion marked its final voyage before the building of the new ship is completed later on in this year. This was an emotional event for many involved as the ship has been part of the cadets for more than 40 years. The new ship is promised to be bigger, more economical and more cadet friendly than its predecessor and will offer more cadets the opportunity to go off shore and learn how to sail, amongst other lifetime skills.

The day began with an impressive number of cadets from all over the province, turning out in their best uniforms to perform a march on and march by for VIPs. Among the VIPs was Area Officer (Northern Area) Captain Peter Adams, Deputy Lord Lieutenants from Lisburn, Belfast and Carrickfergus and representatives from Belfast Harbour Commission, Belfast City Council, Lisburn City Council and local councillors. Following speeches, the ship set sail from the harbour and as a final mark of respect the cadets performed a cheer ship in honour of TS Royalist.

As the ship set sail, it was accompanied by a Flotilla of ships, led by a tugboat from Belfast Harbour along with various Sea Cadet sailing vessels, Safety boats and also the Lagan Boat Company, who carried the VIPs to the opening of the channel of Belfast Lough.

Eagle cadets are very excited to see the new vessel, and hope to be amongst the first of the cadets to set sail upon the new ship, gaining various qualifications in sailing alongside new friends, and memories too!