Like all activities, Weymouth Sea and Royal Marine Cadets had to stop meeting physically mid-March. However, they’ve continued to undertake virtual parade nights and lessons via Zoom and Google Classroom but were missing their community activity work. Whilst the Weymouth Sea and Royal Marine Cadets are a charity themselves, they decided to give something back to the local community knowing that all charities are suffering at the moment so are currently undertaking a fundraising challenge involving the whole unit to support the local branch of the RNLI.
The idea was thought up by the unit’s Petty Officer Cadet and two Leading Cadets in early June who planned the Challenge and what it would involve. The charity was chosen by the whole unit by voting from a shortlist produced by the Senior Cadets. The voting session was very close with a second round required to determine the final charity, Weymouth RNLI station. The Cadets then went away to choose what sort of challenge they wanted to undertake. Ideas were provided but they could work out their own based on their individual circumstances. All the challenges revolve around the number 20 because the challenge is taking place during the year 2020 for example 60 sits ups for 20 days, 20km bike ride, sell baked goods to 20 different people. Some challenges involve walking, paddleboarding and running and all need to be completed by 12 July.
Commanding Officer of the unit Sub Lt (SCC) Sara Cornick RNR said ‘at this time of great uncertainty and hardship the Cadets have embodied all our Corps values especially commitment and integrity by choosing their own challenges, getting their own sponsorship and motivating each other to achieve. The funds will be a significant boost to this vital local charity and we are so grateful for support. Currently the total stands at £835 against an initial target of £500 which is phenomenal’. Anyone that wants to contribute to the challenge can through the just giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/weymouth-sea-and-marine-cadets.
Sub L t(SCC) Cornick RNR adds ‘this commitment is typical of the young people in the Sea Cadet Corps and highlights the value of the organisation to our young people. We are only limited in what we can achieve by the numbers of volunteers we have. I would love to speak to anyone with a few hours to spare who would like to help, for example, fundraising for ourselves, instructing our Cadets, our committee, administration or volunteering to take our cadets to competitions, Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions and courses in our mini-bus. Our next intake of young people aged 10-18 is in September and we’d love more to join us so please do get in touch’ Sub Lt (SCC) Cornick’s email is co@weymouthseacadets.org.uk.
Weymouth Sea and Royal Marine Cadets are part of the national body of Marine Society & Sea Cadets providing a range of activities on and off the water for young people aged 10-18 including vocational and academic qualifications from bodies such as RYA, Duke of Edinburgh, BTEC and ILM.
