Extra ordinary 15 year old Sea Cadet addresses United Nations on Covid impact on young people.

Royal Marine Cadet Monty from Lancashire has had the honour of being invited to address the United Nations, focussing on his research into technology and how it affects the sleep patterns of young people.

Royal Marines Cadet Monty has written a 55,000 word thesis at the age of 14, which has helped a number of schools in the Greater Manchester area as well as NHS professionals, develop advice on how to get a good night’s sleep in the age of Zoom.

This thesis, which was presented earlier this year to academics at the University of Manchester, is distilled into a 6 ½ minute presentation before the UN conference on public health, via Zoom to Geneva on Wednesday.

He has also conducted research into the effects of isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic on children, young people and their families, with the results now being used by the NHS. This led to his being awarded the British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA).

Monty's Cadet life has seen him take part in the Sea Cadets' Everest Challenge where cadets compete to climb a dizzying 8848m of elevation, equivalent to the height of Mount Everest. Monty is one of 80 cadets taking part with over £6,000 raised so far.

“Being a Royal Marines cadet isn’t just learning about the Royal Navy and going tactical in the field, it’s more about equipping you with important life skills to go out into the world and achieve anything," said Monty.

As well as being a Royal Marines Cadet, he has also found time to set two Guinness World Records for world memory challenges. Monty has also set up the “Young Active Minds” registered charity to share memory techniques with children, irrespective of their financial background or academic attainment.

Captain Phil Russell RN, Captain Sea Cadets, said, “Royal Marines Cadet Monty’s achievements deserve huge credit and it is a sign of his development as a young man that his research is being taken on board by the world’s leading authorities.”

“He is a great example of everything good about Sea Cadets.”

Commanding Officer Major Samantha Davis RMR at TS Galloway Sea Cadets said regarding Monty's BCyA award: "We're very proud to have Monty as a Royal Marines cadet at TS Galloway and for his achievement with the BCyA.”

"All our cadets are taught the fundamentals of leadership and team-working. Our cadets are actively encouraged to engage with their local communities."