News round-up: Spring 2026

A collection of news stories from around the Corps, from receiving the King's award to sea cadets on TV

Some of Sefton Unit’s highlights from their award-winning year

Three units honoured by The King

His Majesty The King’s birthday on 14 November brought the very special announcement that Greenwich, Sefton and Twickenham Sea Cadets units had received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS)! This prestigious recognition – the group equivalent of an MBE – was given to just 231 community groups across the UK for 2025 and reflects the tireless efforts of our incredible volunteers at each unit. Together, these passionate individuals give thousands of hours every year to provide a unique learning experience and develop the community leaders of the future.

Only 10 Sea Cadets units have received this rare honour since 2002, when the Queen’s Award was established to mark the Golden Jubilee of our beloved former Patron, Queen Elizabeth II. Sea Cadets also has the distinction of being the only cadet force featured among the 2025 recipients – with our three winners nominated by their local community, visited by their local Lieutenancies and assessed by a distinguished national panel before receiving The King’s approval.

Cadet Voice representatives with CEO Guy Holloway at the Conservative Conference

Cadet speakers impress at party conferences

Our Cadet Voice representatives once again enjoyed some very positive engagement with MPs at last autumn’s party conferences. The Labour Conference in Liverpool even featured a Sea Cadets’ event on ‘Breaking Down Barriers to Volunteering’ with the Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP.

The minister joined four cadets, two young volunteers and CEO Guy Holloway to discuss how Sea Cadets can create more opportunities for adults to develop skills and confidence in young people. She later remarked: “I’ve been on a lot of panels at this conference but honestly the standout one was run by the fantastic Sea Cadets! Each young person spoke so well about what a huge difference being
a part of the organisation has made to their lives.”

The following week’s Conservative conference in Manchester saw our team explain how Sea Cadets is helping to tackle the challenges faced by young people at the Centre for Social Justice’s ‘Lost Boys’ event. They spoke confidently and persuasively on how Sea Cadets’ mentors and role models have helped them to fulfil their potential.

At both conferences, our cadets and young volunteers did an exceptional job of building political support for Sea Cadets – including for our campaign for every UK adult to be granted 35 hours of statutory volunteering leave each year.

A day to remember for LC Emily

One hundred MSSC members and supporters were delighted to hear a remarkable cadet’s story at the charity’s Annual Court in October. Leading Cadet Emily of Torpoint Unit described her experiences of an exciting Tall Ship Races voyage on TS Royalist, receiving the National Continuity Trophy from HRH The Princess Royal and winning the National Band Competition at Greenwich – which helped inspire her ambition to join the Royal Marines Band Service.

Emily also took the opportunity to chat with Annual Court’s special guest, the new Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Paul Beattie. And to round off an unforgettable day, she then represented the Sea Cadet Corps at the National Service for Seafarers in St Paul’s Cathedral – where she was thrilled that the music was provided by the Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood and that The Princess Royal was in attendance!

Cadets meet the First Sea Lord

September saw some very proud cadets attend the Royal Marines Families Weekend at Lympstone.
As well as relishing the chance to explore the Commando Training Centre, they also got to swap stories with the veterans and serving personnel they respect so much.

The highlight for all was being inspected by the first Royal Marine to head up the Royal Navy – the new First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE ADC, who made them feel like a valued part of the Royal Marines Family. This sense of belonging was confirmed by the honour of being part of the Corps Family Parade, where cadets did a great job of showcasing their ceremonial skills.

Sea Cadets on TV!

Last autumn saw our cadets and volunteers hit the national TV schedules alongside two iconic broadcasters.

First, Channel 5 screened an unseen episode (filmed in 2022) of Challenge Anneka in October, which showed presenter Anneka Rice and her team revamping Luton Unit facilities and providing a new minibus – which has since made a huge difference to cadets and volunteers.

In November, Greenwich Unit were joined by the Reverend Richard Coles for his More 4 show, Sailing the Shipping Forecast, which featured cadets exploring the science and history behind the Shipping Forecast at the Old Royal Naval College and Greenwich Royal Observatory. The programme was a great advert for Sea Cadets’ development of leadership and teaching skills, with cadets instructing Revd Coles in ropework and even taking him for a spot of sailing (above).

Westminster Award winners Charlie and Ben

Young leaders rise to the challenge

Well done to Sea Cadets’ two Westminster Award finalists on being selected among the top vocational learners from across the UK’s cadet forces and youth groups. September’s presentation ceremony at the House of Lords was a fitting reward for the efforts of Probationary Petty Officer (SCC) Ben Wesson of Thurrock Unit and Cadet Sergeant Charlie of Stafford & Rugeley Unit, who received ILM Level 3 certificates in Leadership & Management from Cadet Vocational College Chairman Lord Lingfield.

Rising to the final 12 from an initial field of 4,000 outstanding candidates, both demonstrated remarkable leadership and teamwork skills to win through to the summer expedition in Hampshire and Wales – where they excelled during a week of challenges including windsurfing, caving, velodrome cycling and conservation work.

National Champions Amy and Jessie from Southampton Unit

Sailing stars

Despite some very unhelpful weather conditions in Southport, September’s National Sailing & Windsurfing Regatta saw Southern Area’s team crowned overall champions and Navy League Trophy winners for the second year running. Their skill and commitment was exemplified by Able Cadets Amy and Jessie of Southampton Unit, who managed to win the Junior Quest category despite capsizing on the start line of race two!

Among dozens of other superb performances, Ordinary Cadet Thomas of Glasgow Unit gained an Open Zest winner’s medal to go with his Open Quest gold from 2024, while Cadet Phoenix of Bridgwater Unit took the Junior Topper category. Eastern Area also put on a strong all-round showing, with their triumph in the windsurfing competition aided by a victory for Rushden Unit’s Ordinary Cadet Andrew in the 4.8m class.

Brigadier Ged Salzano MBE presenting Southern Area with their trophy

First aid champions

The last national competition of the year arrived in early November last year and tested one of Sea Cadets’ most important specialisations: first aid. Cadets and young volunteers were challenged in a range of realistic scenarios at the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue training centre, where the cadet teams from Milton Keynes and Scunthorpe Units repeated their respective first and second places from 2024. The winners also secured the Peter Riley Trophy for Southern Area – as the highest points scorers across all 2025’s national competitions.

The following day’s tri-service competition saw Milton Keynes Unit finish fourth out of 11 finalists, while every Sea Cadets competitor came away with sharper skills and extra confidence in their abilities.