On Saturday 9 April 2022, a team of Cadets from 176 (Hove) Squadron, Air Training Corps, embarked on their first Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition training session of the year, navigating their way from Shoreham Airport to Chanctonbury Ring, near Wiston, a distance of just over 15 kms. Not only did they test their navigation skills and their stamina, they had also chosen to be sponsored to help raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal.
The Squadron had previously taken donations of essential items from friends and family that were subsequently sent to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in the country, but the cadets decided that they wanted to do more to help. Initially setting themselves a target of £200, the cadets raised four times as much with a total (including Gift Aid) of £850 for the appeal.
Cadet Flight Sergeant Thomas Worth (17), currently completing his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “I had seen the people from Ukraine heading across the border to escape the war and felt that, as a squadron, we needed to do something to help. The idea of being sponsored for one of our DofE training hikes made sense and I’m astounded by the public’s generosity in supporting us!”
Squadron Leader Simon Allen, who attended the hike alongside the cadets, said: “The Cadets did fantastically, despite some aching legs and sore feet, they did an excellent job raising money for such a good cause and they can be rightly proud of their achievement.”
Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be an Air Cadet, Adult Volunteer or member of our Support Committee? 176 (Hove) Squadron are keen to recruit young people aged between 12 (and in Year 8 at school) to 17 as well as adults who are keen to help us deliver the best opportunities to our cadets. Interested? Our Annual General Meeting and Presentation Parade is taking place on Thursday 5 May at St Nicholas Parish Centre, South Street, Portslade, BN41 2LE, starting a
Cadets from 176 at Bramber Castle
t 7pm. If you want to come along drop us an e-mail at adj.176@rafac.mod.gov.uk or visit our website www.176hoveatc.com.
Cadets navigating their way along the South Downs Way