Over the past year Waltham Forest Sea Cadet Unit was busy training hard and fund raising to take part in the 97th International Four Day Marches in Nijmegen, Holland which was recently held over 16th – 19th July 2013. The International Four Day Marches also known as the ‘Walk of the World’, hosts around 45,000 walkers across the world including 5000 military personnel from almost 40 different countries. Military Teams have to walk 40km for four days or 25 miles a day, a staggering 100miles and the rough equivalent of four marathons, adults over 19 also do this carrying deadweight of 10kgs! The British Armed Forces and Cadet Organisations make up the second largest contingent at Nijmegen behind the Dutch Armed Forces with around 200 personnel. This year there was also one Royal Navy Road Marching Team from HMS Collingwood. British Military Contingents Registrations Officer Flt Lt Kate Marshall confirmed that there had not been an official Military Team from the Sea Cadets for many years. Waltham Forest Sea Cadet Unit was the first Sea Cadet Team to qualify for some time. The team comprised of Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets and was always going to be challenging. The first day saw the team endure heat levels up in the thirties with little shelter. By the second day the team had lost 2 cadets due to leg and ankle strains and by the third day we were down a further 2 due to blisters. On the final, forth day the remaining team members all qualified for there prized Nijmegen Medal and for those cadets this means that they can proudly wear the Nijmegen Medal on there uniforms at local events. All the cadets at the conclusion of the four day marches came away with something, whether it be a medal or purely the experience of taking part in one of the toughest road marches in the world. The unit is already making plans for next year...!
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