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New award scheme shines spotlight on Cadet Force adult volunteers

Published on: 18 Aug 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, those volunteers have stepped up to keep children engaged in a world that provides unique opportunities for fun, friendship, action and adventure, as well as new skills and qualifications – all from the complexities of their own homes.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, the five Cadet Organisations: Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, RAF Air Cadets, Combined Cadet Forces and Volunteer Cadet Corps, are some of the largest and oldest voluntary youth organisations in the country and provide military themed activities and training for young people aged 10 to 18.

The Cadet organisations bring unparalleled opportunities for young people from all walks of life to learn, grow and excel and are run by thousands of ordinary volunteers, doing extraordinary things.

Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) is formally recognising the hard work of the CFAV’s through a new initiative, the Cadet Adult Recognition Awards (CARAs). The award scheme gives Cadets the opportunity to officially thank the Adult Volunteers who have committed to developing young people.

The CARAs are Cadet-nominated honours which recognise and thank CFAVs within the Cadet services in the Lowlands of Scotland.

The inaugural awards ceremony took place on YouTube on 7 August. Eleven prizes were awarded following dozens of nominations for several outstanding volunteers, the overall winner was Lietenant Grahame Kirsopp.

Each award was sponsored by businesses local to the area in which the Army, Air or Sea Cadet units are located. This provided a great opportunity for local employers to recognise the value and qualifications that can be gained as part of the Cadet Experience.