SEA cadets are busy raising funds with a virtual sponsored walk, taking them from their base in Musselburgh to the organisation’s HQ on Lambeth Road, London, and back home.
Along with family members, they are logging their steps or kilometres, completed daily during March, via an online tracker which calculates the distance walked for each day.
They had originally planned to walk 600km, from Musselburgh to London, but smashed their target distance and started the return journey back to the Honest Toun – a total of 1,200km.
They have already raised nearly £1,500.
Chief Officer Mark Tiffin (pictured below), from Gorebridge, is supporting the unit – TS Indefatigable – by taking part in the virtual sponsored walk while on his Maersk Line Hamburg Sud ship off China’s coast, covering more than 52km.
Funds raised will be used to provide training when the cadets return to their newly refurbished unit building on South Street after Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
The property has undergone a full upgrade costing £87,000 to include new toilet and shower facilities, offices and classroom space. Improved teaching equipment such as interactive teaching boards have also been installed.
Funding of £30,000 was received from the Marine Society and Sea Cadets, £25,000 from Viridor, £20,000 from the Musselburgh Common Good Fund and £15,000 from fundraising and donations.
Petty Officer Belle Milliken said: “Due to the current pandemic, the unit has lost out on a lot of our usual fundraising route and, with the team taking part in the sponsored walk, it will enable them to get out, get fit, improve wellbeing and spend time with family as part of their team.”
She said: “The money will support our return to parading, purchasing training equipment for the cadets in face-to-face classes, and upkeep for the current equipment and boats.”
The group provides 10-18-year-olds with a range of opportunities, from first aid to boating qualifications, all based around the Royal Navy.
PO Milliken said the cadets were looking forward to returning to normal activities after the Covid-19 crisis.
She said: “We were hoping to return late last year but, due to awaiting final certification for the building work, this was put on hold.
“At the moment we are parading as normal but on Zoom and delivering specialisation training in communication systems, promotion training, first aid, engineering, Duke of Edinburgh, boating theory, catering, BTEC and CVQO.
“We have also had sessions delivered by the Royal Navy engagement team on careers and flags at sea, which is a Royal Navy communication session.”
One cadet said: “Personally, joining sea cadets was one of the best things I have done.
“It has provided me with a confidence and experiences that just simply cannot be learnt within a classroom.
“It has given me an insight into Royal Navy life and has helped me meet many friends from all across the UK who will be friends for life.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the sponsored walk can go to gofundme.com/f/musselburgh-sea-cadets-sponsored-virtual-walk-21
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