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The Virtual Everest Challenge has seen 100 cadets, volunteers and family members take part in reaching 8848m, the height of Mount Everest, through hiking, stair climbing and even upping the incline on a static bike. However they chose to complete the challenge over £11,000 has been fundraised and we are so proud of everyone who has taken part! Here are what some of the cadets had to say:

JCFC Oliver from Burton fundraised £200 – “I joined this challenge as I was looking for something to do during lockdown to keep active and thought this is a great way to raise money for the unit and Sea Cadets. I love climbing and one day hope to climb Mount Everest itself!”

Cadet Evan from Conwy County fundraised £100 – “The challenge built up my fitness and kept me motivated to do something through Covid lockdowns. It helped to raise money for Sea Cadets at the same time.”

“I've taken part in several challenges during the Covid-19 lockdown and have to say the Virtual Everest Challenge has been my favourite”

Monty is a Royal Marines cadet at TS Galloway in Preston who fundraised £100. He credits much of his achievements to the principles of integrity, determination, achievement & leadership embodied in the ethos of the Sea Cadets. “I've taken part in several challenges during the Covid-19 lockdown and have to say the Virtual Everest Challenge has been my favourite.”

JC Felix from Burton was determined to finish, that with 3 weeks to go he still had over 3800m still to do. His family told us: “We had to sit him down and say that, despite all his effort, Lockdown restrictions and illness had made it impossible, but we would explain and ask for an extension. He would not hear of it!! "I can do it, I know I can! Don't ask for an extension!" So after some calculations he decided that he would climb our stairs at home SIXTY times EVERY DAY for the remaining THREE weeks! He has 2 days left of his 12 weeks and his effort and persistence have been Herculean! This is the hardest challenge he has done but the summit is in sight!”

One cadet, Hannah from Farnham, Aldershot & Fleet, even had a very special donor! Her mum said: “The coolest thing about Hannah's fundraising was that she had a very special donor - Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM! Sir Chay was the first person to sail single-handed non-stop westwards around the world, and mentor to the first woman to do the same. Over the past few years he has followed Hannah's sailing progress with the Sea Cadets including her voyages on TS Royalist, both yachts and TS Jack Petchey… awesome to have such a donor!”

A HUGE well done again to all those who have finished the challenge and a big good luck to those who are still going – you can do it! BZ.

Today we celebrated the investiture of our six new First Sea Lord’s Cadets for 2021. This year, owing to the lockdown, the ceremony was held virtually rather than the usual location of HMS Victory in Portsmouth. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Radakin CB ADC joined the cadets along with other Royal Navy cadets from the CCF and VCC as well as parents and guests on Zoom. During their year in the role the First Sea Lord’s Cadets will help to represent their peers on the National Sea Cadet Forum and as restrictions allow attend events to represent the Corps alongside the Royal Navy.

Congratulations to:

LC Erin, Southern

LC Shaun – London

Cdt Cpl Naomi – Eastern

LC Maren – Northern

LC Charlotte – South West

LC Brandon – North West

We asked cadets to name their volunteer heroes for last year who went above and beyond in virtual Sea Cadets, #Fallinathome

Thanks to OC Ashryah, Nuneaton & Bedworth Sea Cadets for their nomination:

“I would like to nominate PO Holland for going above and beyond during lockdown. We couldn’t clock up any boating hours this year due to lockdown, but the Sea Cadets Portal helped us to track our pathways and gain qualifications by engaging virtually." 

"I had given up hope of achieving anything, but PO Holland helped us get enrolled onto the Cadet Training Platform to complete our modules for promotions. I’m looking forward to the re-opening of our unit, so we can get back to serving our community and working towards my end goal of joining the Royal Navy.”

You can read all the nominations on the new The Sea Cadet magazine website: https://theseacadetmagazine.org/virtual-volunteer-heroes/

Send in your nominations to SCMag@ms-sc.org and we’ll reshare your stories!

Team Sea Cadets Virtual Everest c;imbers have raised an huge £8,000 in the challenge so far. BZ! 

Check out Felix's story, he wanted to go further than his Dad who reached base camp, beating him already! 

Felix’s story:

“My dad loves mountain walking. He's done the Alps, the High Atlas, Kilimanjaro and more. I've always wanted to go with him up mountains and for the last few years I have been. We've done walks in Snowdonia and the Peak District so far. But never abroad yet. I don't need a passport for this challenge though - sometimes I only go as far as my staircase at home! But I'm going to go higher than my dad has ever gone. He has trekked to the South Everest Base Camp in Nepal (5364m) but I'm going to go all the way to the top with this challenge. I'm glad I don't have to deal with altitude sickness though! I wanted to get involved with this challenge because it has been a really tough year for everyone and my unit was under the River Trent instead of next to it at the start of it! With the flood and Covid, I wanted to raise money for them but also for other Units so we can all get back to normal as soon as we are allowed to. I put a low target to raise because I didn't want to pressure my family or friends because lots of people have lost their jobs or been furloughed. It's been a hard year but I'm enjoying getting out walking with my dad and will celebrate getting higher than Base Camp as well as to the summit!" JCFC Felix, age 11, Burton on Trent Unit.

Sea Cadets have been highlighted for their work in local communities across the country with at least two more volunteers being celebrated. Their efforts during the Coronavirus pandemic made a difference to cadets and volunteers during a time of need for many.

After eight volunteers and two cadets received recognition in the Birthday Honours list this autumn, two more volunteers are to receive MBEs in the New Year Honours:

Carol Tiley MBE, Forest of Dean.
Carol Tiley has seen the effect being a cadet has on young people after her two boys joined Sea Cadets. Now, after 15 years of service supporting Sea Cadets and other charities across the South West, she is to be honoured by Her Majesty The Queen.

“It was a big surprise I must admit,” she said. “I was bit misty-eyed butmy boys were thrilled - it was an interesting Zoom call when they found out. ”

Carol now supports volunteers on the ground from Birmingham to Land’s End in her role as South West Area Chair, which she took up in 2012. In addition, she has stepped in as acting chair to four units across Gloucestershire and South Wales on a temporary basis.

She and her husband John used to run a successful signage company but with a background in financial services, she has acted as Treasurer for a number of local groups, including Cinderford & District Swimming Club and Forest of Dean Contact-A-Family.

“I’ve seen the very positive effect Sea Cadets can have on young people and while it’s made a difference to my own sons’ lives, it’s made even more of a difference to others. I’ve seen lives turned around and confidence given to those who when they become Sea Cadets, couldn’t lift their eyes off the floor.”

“It’s helped keep them out of trouble and later helped them get jobs they wouldn’t have dreamed of before.”

Lt Cdr (SCC) David Collins MBE RNR, Merseyside West.
David Collins, from Bromborough, Wirral, is to receive an MBE for his Sea Cadets work across Merseyside which has seen him change lives for the better.

A trained naval architect, he and his wife Maureen celebrated their golden anniversary this year. They have three daughters, Maria, Therasa, Jeanette and between them, have eight grandchildren.

“I was just astounded,” he said. “I’d already received the Sea Cadet Medal and was quite content to continue what I doing. There are many people who were also deserving of recognition.”

“I’m a facilitator. I couldn’t have achieved all I have  without the support of people of like mind. My job is to encourage fellow volunteers to join in with the tasks and its with their help and leaderships that it all works.”

Having become a Sea Cadet in his native Newcastle, he’s remained committed to the passion for sailing and to the ethos of Sea Cadets. “I enjoy working with youngsters, especially in the offshore sailing environment. There is no greater satisfaction in building a group of novices into a working crew who do not want to leave the boat at the end of the week,” he said.

“Some young people might be challenging when they start, but when they join Sea Cadets they become self-confident. When years later you see a young man proudly approach with his wife and family with a broad smile and the greeting “Hello, sir” - that’s an amazing thrill. His pride, respect and interaction with his family make you understand the value of Sea Cadets.”

Among David’s achievements has been to work with others to simplify Sea Cadets’ national training system, as part of his work on the Sea Cadets National Advisory Council.

“It is important to have good training that is attractive to cadets. One difficulty, at the time, had been that young people were being encouraged to undertake leadership roles before they had the maturity to accept them. But by nurturing their talents, we build their confidence and they motivate themselves.”

Captain Phil Russell RN, Captain Sea Cadets, said “Carol and David exemplify the dedication and commitment of our Sea Cadets volunteers and I’m delighted they are to receive their MBEs. For many years, they have been devoted to supporting Sea Cadets in helping to change lives.”

“They’re representative of 9,000 volunteers and 15,000 cadets, all of whom are dedicated to supporting their communities. They all represent the unique Sea Cadets values and ethos which have helped make a difference to so many young lives.”