CADETS FUNDRAISE FOR THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
Cadets from the Squadron have been busy fundraising for the British Heart Foundation by running a cake stall during one of their parade evenings. The cadets wanted to raise the money in memory of one of the Civilian Committee Members, Adrian Turrell, who died in April after a sudden heart attack.
The cadets, assisted by the Squadron’s Civilian Committee, raised £140.05 by selling a variety of cakes, as well as collecting donations from staff members who were absent for the cake sale. One of the cadets also completed a 3k sponsored run and donated his sponsorship money to the British Heart Foundation in memory of Adrian Turrell.
Volunteer Fundraising Manager (Northants and Cambs) for the British Heart Foundation, Nigel Cole visited the Squadron to collect the cheque from some of the cadets, as well as Mrs Susan Turrell and Bethany Turrell, the wife and daughter of Adrian Turrell.
CADETS ARE TOP SHOTS!
Having your uniform inspected at 6.30am for razor sharp creases and polished boots is not the way Saturdays start for most teenagers! However eleven cadets from the Squadron, as well as 2524 (Oakington) Squadron got a fantastic opportunity to use the Army Training Regiment's facilities at Bassingbourn Barracks for a weekend's shooting.
On the Friday evening, they were able to be trained to use the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT), which is a computerised range which instead of firing bullets at a target, fires a laser to a projection screen. The DCCT is a great training tool as cadets were able to fire a L85A2 rifle realistically without using any ammunition, being able to analyse shots and techniques graphically ready for the weekend’s real shoot which followed.
After early starts and an inspection on the Saturday and Sunday, the cadets enjoyed two full days of shooting on the 25m, 50m and 100m outdoor ranges using the L98A2 rifle. The cadets were coached by regular RAF personnel, Air Training Corps staff and one of The Regiment's Senior Non-commissioned Officers - W02(QMSI) Tom Kerr SASC.
Cadet Aaron Wilkins receives coaching using the L98A2 rifle from W02 Tom Kerr
Overall four cadets from the Squadron gained marksman's qualifications and all greatly improved their skills - for many it was the first time that they had used a rifle. The highest scores over the weekend were achieved by Cadet Ben Jones. Corporal Feast and Cadet Kerr achieved their Wing Marksman's award and Corporal Slater and Cadets Jones gained their Regional Marksman's award.
Over the weekend, the cadets & staff were able to use the regular Army's recruit catering facilities and the Army Cadet Force provided accommodation.