Ten Cadet Force Adult Volunteers from across the Lowlands of Scotland have received a prestigious award from the young people they work with for their contribution to the Cadet Forces.
For the past five years, the Cadet Adult Recognition Awards (CARAs) has sought to acknowledge the dedication and selflessness of the Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) who give their time and talents to help young people aged 12-18 develop new skills, prepare for adult life and make friendships that can last a lifetime.
Renfrewshire local, Staff Sergeant Fitzsimmons, was awarded the West Lowland Army Cadet Force Award.
On winning a CARA, Fitzsimmons said: ‘When I found out I had won it was quite heartwarming because I know these nominations have come from the Cadets themselves. I would like to thank all the Cadets for their nominations and also the team of adult instructors I’ve got around me.
‘My Cadets mean a lot to me, they’re like an additional family, it’s like having twenty little brothers and sisters that you have to look after.
‘This award is different to other awards because it comes directly from the Cadets, and they’re the reason I volunteer and deliver what I do. Knowing that they’ve gone out of their way to put in a nomination means the world.’
All nominations for the CARAs are submitted by Cadet members of the Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps and Air Training Corps. Now in its fifth year, the CARAs 2024 received a record number of nominations, highlighting the immense admiration the Cadets have for their adult instructors.
Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) has been running the CARAs annually since 2020, and hosted an online award ceremony on its YouTube channel on Friday 6 December.
Each of the winning CFAVs gave a moving acceptance speech, thanking the Cadets for taking the time to nominate them and showing appreciation for all the work they do.
Kate Johnston, Lowland RFCA Head of Communications said: ‘Focussed on developing and prospering the next generation, CFAVs work tirelessly to deliver fun and helpful training for Cadets. Year after year, these volunteers selflessly support and engage these young people. Whilst the CFAVs provide fun, challenge and adventure, they also help the Cadets to bolster their CVs and to prepare them for life after Cadets and school. Well done to all of this year’s winners, you clearly mean alot to your Cadets and are making a real difference to their lives’
As well as receiving a prestigious CARAs certificate, each winner was also presented with a gift voucher sponsored by a local business. This gives Lowland organisations an opportunity to show support for the hard-working adult volunteers, some of whom are members of their own workforces.
Full list of 2024 CARAs winners:
- Sea Cadets East – Probationary Petty Officer Graham, Edinburgh Trinity Sea Cadets
- Sea Cadets West – Company Sergeant Major Riley, Royal Marines Cadets Northern Area
- Air Cadets East – Flying Officer Chelsea-Louise Rennie, 2535 (Livingston) Air Cadets
- Air Cadets West – Frances Paton, 1138 (Ardrossan) Air Cadets
- Glasgow & Lanarkshire – Sergeant Grierson, 3 Platoon (RSB) Newmains
- Glasgow & Lanarkshire Runner Up – Sergeant Martin, 3 Troop Airdrie Royal Engineers
- West Lowland – Staff Sergeant Fitzsimmons, Paisley Royal EngineersWest
- Lowland Runner Up – Colour Sergeant Halliday, Lockerbie Detachment
- Lothian & Borders – Sergeant Stevenson, 32 Platoon Prestonpans Detachment
- Lothian & Borders Runner Up – Company Sergeant Holmes, 29 Platoon Whitburn Detachment
To find out more about becoming a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer and all the possibilities on offer, get in touch with your local Cadet unit, here: https://armycadets.com/volunteering-opportunities-for-adults/.