The Volunteer - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets ...

STOCKPORT
ATC
Cadets on a
silver streak
Over the last year 10 Stockport Air
Cadets have completed the Silver
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
During the challenging six
month programme of activities
designed to test their teamwork,
perseverance and confidence, the
cadets all had to complete four
sections: volunteering, physical,
skills and a three day expedition.
The physical section saw the
cadets complete months of fitness
training at the Squadron where
they were assessed on activities
from running to press-ups by the
staff.
The skills section saw
the cadets challenged in a
completely different arena –
aviation studies. A number of
cadets were presented with
a BTEC Award in Aviation
Studies for their hard work.
The Volunteering Section was
completed at the Squadron with
various roles and responsibilities,
from training the other cadets, to
issuing uniform and equipment
to mentoring new starters at the
unit.
Finally, the expedition section
saw the cadets complete a
Cadets at the top of Mam Tor during their practice expedition
Cadets with the Wing D of E Officer and Expedition Assessor,
Flt Lt Helen James during their qualifying expedition
demanding three-day expedition We had 12
around the Hope Valley area of Bronze awards last year and
the Peak District.
thanks to the outstanding efforts
Cdt Kieran Walsh said: “The the cadets and staff we have
expedition was very tough, and successfully managed to convert
being the August Bank Holiday a record-breaking 10 of them into
weekend the weather was very Silvers.”
wet. It is great to look back and This year under the expert
think that as a team we got
guidance of the Squadron’s D of
through the three days.”
E Officer, Sgt Gilly Gwilliams, the
Cdt Sgt Zoe Barber said: “It cadets will begin working towards
has taken a lot of commitment their Gold Duke of Edinburgh
and determination to complete Awards whilst other cadets on
my Silver Award. It is more
the Squadron continue to work
than worth it just for the
towards their Bronze and Silver
fantastic chance to do some
Awards.
really worthwhile - things that The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
most people just never get the is one of the many activities
opportunity to do.”
offered at Stockport Air Cadets.
Flt Lt Lee Moore, OC 162
Girls and boys from 13 years of
(Stockport) Squadron said: “This age have the chance to do many
is the first time the Squadron’s activities including visits to RAF
annual total of Silver Awards has Stations, adventure training and
ever broken into double figures. flying.
Under new management...
Stockport Air Cadets have raised
£130.50 in support of Comic
Relief by organising a rank
auction with members of staff
and cadet NCOs surrendering
their ranks to the highest bidder
for two nights.
All of the positions were hotly
contested during the auction
but it wasn’t the CO’s rank that
sold for the most money. That
honour went to the rank of Sgt
(ATC). Cdt Sgt Steven Ellerbeck
was the successful bidder
pledging £20 to replace Sgt (ATC)
Gwiliams.
Sgt Ellerbeck said: “I enjoyed
stepping into Sgt Gwilliams’
shoes as everyone knows that
she really runs the Squadron!
I enjoyed this experience very
much and it was great fun
knowing it was all for charity.”
Cdt FS Dale McLaughlin was
a determined bidder and took
on the role of CO, replacing Flt
Lt Lee Moore after winning the
bidding with the all too cheap
price of £13.
Dale said “I was very
honoured to have this
opportunity to experience such
an important role within our
squadron. By being the CO of the
squadron I learnt more about
organisation and about the
administration side of running
the squadron. During the two
nights I had endless mounds of
paperwork and was glad in the
end to hand the Squadron back,
I’ll happily stay a FS!”
Flt Lt Lee Moore added: “It was
great to see the new staff and
NCO team working together
maybe I’ll be able to retire
sooner rather than later! I was
impressed with the amount
money we raised for such a good
cause.”
42 THE VOLUNTEER www.nwrfca.org.uk