Area news spring 2021

See what’s been happening across the UK. Share your news by emailing SCmag@ms-sc.org

Northern

Fraserburgh Unit is hoping to secure its future and double its numbers by raising £220,000 to buy a former care home. There are 30 cadets, with just as many on the waiting list. CO Craig Trail says the unit has already raised £50,000 towards the purchase.

CO Craig Trail outside Buchanan House. Fraserburgh Sea Cadets is hoping to raise £220,000 to buy the building as its new HQ (photo: Paul Glendell)

North West

Cadets from Barrow-in-Furness helped to provide backpacks for schoolchildren by raising money for the Submarine Backpack Appeal, organised by BAE Systems. The backpacks are filled with school equipment and items to improve wellbeing. Part of the £2,147 raised will be donated to Barrow-in-Furness Unit to thank them for their help with the appeal.

BAE Systems Submarines employees were helped by sea cadets to raise money to buy backpacks and supplies for schoolchildren

South West

More than 100 Christmas gifts were donated to residents of two Weymouth care homes thanks to the generosity of sea cadets and their families. Weymouth unit usually hosts a fundraising event at Christmas to give back to the community.

Seeing as this wasn’t possible in 2020, cadets (who were able to attend face-to-face parade nights in the autumn) were asked to bring along a gift and card or letter to cheer up residents who were unlikely to get presents or visits. PO Anna-Maria Geare wrapped all 111 gifts.

Sea cadets donated gifts and wrote cards and letters for residents of their local care homes at Christmas

Eastern

Cadets from Scarborough will benefit from an event that raised sprits and money at Christmas by lighting up the harbour. The South Bay Sparkle raised £3,849, with three local charities, including Sea Cadets, receiving an equal share of the money. About 25 boats took part.

Boats lit up as part of the Christmas festivities that raised money for Scarborough Sea Cadets

London

AC Carlos-Ricardo from Edgware and Mill Hill raised £2,000 to help a neighbour travel to Peru so she could be with her mother, who had cancer. He started a Go Fund Me campaign, which also paid for medical supplies and care. The neighbour arrived in time to be with her mother until she died in December.

In January, she nominated Carlos-Ricardo for The London Borough of Barnet’s ‘Good Neighbour of the Year’ award, which he won.

Able Cadet Carlos-Ricardo won The London Borough of Barnet’s ‘Good Neighbour of the Year’ award for helping his neighbour

Southern

February marked a special anniversary for a volunteer from Milton Keynes Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets. Lt Cmdr Gearing has been serving as a volunteer for 60 years. During this time, he has served as CO in a number of Sea Cadets units, including Milton Keynes, as the District Officer of Oxon Bucks, Area Training Officer for Southern Area, and in other roles. The unit wished him ‘BZ’ on this milestone, and thanked him for his continued commitment and support to young people.