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Meet super runners Cadets Kyle and Haider from Shard End Sea Cadets, Birmingham. They’ve smashed a huge 10KM distance today to fundraise for the emergency appeal.

And a big Sea Cadets Happy Birthday to Kyle today!

Kyle is taking donations in support through the emergency appeal unit fund here: www.sea-cadets.org/emergency-appeal

Here's what inspired Kyle's running journey: 

I have been going to Shard End Sea Cadets for the past year, and my friend Haider who is running with me today has been attending there for 6 months. We both also go to Sea Cadets after school. I have really missed Sea Cadets during the lockdown, so I wanted to do something positive and raise some funds so that the unit can keep going.

Sea Cadets has been really influential in my life and I know that it stops other young people from getting into trouble. I have made friends there, it has helped my social skills. Running clears my mind, I didn't do any exercise, apart from walking my dog, before I came back into school four weeks ago.  

I was really inspired by Sir Tom Moore, and I thought I could do something as well to represent the younger generation. Being back at school during lockdown has helped me as the teachers have supported me with this idea, and I'm really grateful that so many staff from my school  have donated  money to this cause. I would also like to give a massive thank you to my training partner Haider, for his nonstop encouragement, even when it was pouring with rain and we still ran! And would like to say thanks to school staff for supporting this adventure.

BZ Kyle and Haider!

Leading cadet Apple-Jane from Brentwood has put pen to paper, writing a heartfelt letter to all young people who have parents working as essential workers, encouraging them to be strong and proud of the work their parents are doing. Apple-Jane’s own father is a fire fighter who faces daily danger in his day job. 

Apple-Jane has also been volunteering during the lockdown by supporting the most vulnerable. By offering friendly chats through the Brentwood Covid-19 Mutual Aid group and the Royal Naval Association. 

We’ve been totally blown away by LC’s Apple-Jane’s letter and hope it can help children like her who have a parent as a front line worker.

Head of Meteorology at Sea Cadets retires after 21 years in the role. 

Lt Cdr (SCC) Peter N Greenhalgh RNR has stepped down from being the designated subject matter expert in meteorology for Sea Cadets after 21 years in the role.

Peter’s role was to oversee meteorology within the Corps and to ensure that cadets are given the opportunity to study the subject. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject, in addition to his relaxed and approachable manner, made it accessible and fun for cadets, and helped thousands of young people learn and further their knowledge in the topic. In addition to developing cadets, he has also worked tirelessly to train adults in Meteorology, who could then in turn help cadets learn about everything from weather instruments to cloud formations, the shipping forecast, station plots and how to conduct meteorology.

In September 2015 Peter further developed the Sea Cadet offer when six students, all qualified Meteorology Instructors became “METOCs”, successfully completing the new Advanced Meteorology course entitled 'An Introduction to Oceanography'. Students undertook practical work in the Firth of Forth where they carried out water sampling in various locations on the river. Measurements included turbidity, depth of visibility, near-surface salinity, specific gravity and temperature.

The course underpins prior learning by demonstrating the direct links between our weather and the oceans. The course was a resounding success and continues to be delivered.

When “Prof Phogg” Peter, let the meteorology community know he had decided to step down, he was flooded with messages of thanks and warmth – “thank you for everything you’ve done to inspire myself and others in the field of meteorology during your time as HQSO”, and “if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have the experience and enjoyment of meteorology that I do” and “to say that you have changed the way I look at things is an understatement”. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his loyalty and passion in the role.

Join in the celebration for Sea Cadets' 9,000 volunteers. They’re absolutely essential to Sea Cadets, we couldn’t do it without them! Nominate your volunteer hero using #VolunteersWeek and @SeaCadetsUK.

This week you’ll meet the key worker heroes who also volunteer with Sea Cadets, as every day this week across our social media channels we’ll share a new story about our superhero volunteers. Today meet Sally. (pictured left)

Sally Smith, Officer in Charge, Bedford Sea Cadets

Day Job: Practice Development Nurse, Emergency Department

Sally became a senior nurse in the Emergency Department at Bedford Hospital earlier this year but has been a Specialist Nurse in Resuscitation and Trauma for almost a decade.

She says “This is my passion, I love my job and although working in this type of environment is very challenging at times we work as team, it’s a great team and we support one another.”

Sally also helps to run Bedford Sea Cadets and finds a similar level of teamwork there as in the NHS.

Our volunteers step up during the Pandemic

As many Sea Cadets volunteers are ensuring Sea Cadets continues as normal through digital parade nights, some are also playing their part in the in the battle against Covid-19! Sea Cadets volunteers continue to do their bit within all of the nation’s key services, including the NHS, care homes and the emergency services.

85% of Sea Cadets activities at unit level are taking place virtually, making up for the loss of hugely popular inshore and offshore boating programmes, competitions and International Exchange Programme. Sea Cadets remains a hugely vital part of cadets' lives and many say they are happy having tried the Virtual Sea Cadets programme, according to our recent survey.

With many across the country taking the time to volunteer during the crisis, new and returning volunteers will always be welcome within Sea Cadets. Find out more here.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Celebrating Success – Virtually

On the afternoon of 21 May 2020, 19 of our Cadets and Staff were due to attend a Gold Award Presentation in the grounds of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the culmination of their DofE journey. They had all worked extremely hard to complete their Gold awards and were looking forward to a day in London and meet some members of the Royal family and many guest presenters. However, due to the Coronavirus lockdown measures this event had to be postponed. They will get an opportunity when the country returns to being able to meet again in groups. To mark theirs and others successes, HRH The Duke of Wessex has made a video congratulating those that should have been receiving their certificates. The link to this video is here and the names of those due to attend on the 21st May are:

London

Thomas B

Francis d. S H

Amber-Rose H

Jessica E

South West

Dakota L

Blake L

Oliver D

Thomas G

Emily G

James G

Oliver G

Holly G

Eastern

Lewis K

Chelsea B

Jack V

Isobel B

Lydia C

Thomas B

North West

James P

James B R

On behalf of whole of the Sea Cadets we send congratulations on your fantastic achievement. Many thanks must also go to the tireless commitment that the DofE leaders in all of these units and across all of our areas are giving to these and many thousands of participants still on their own journeys. Please stay safe but continue to enjoy your Sea Cadets and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.