Within Middlesex Wing Air Cadets canoeing is a difficult activity to run at the best of times. Throughout the year we tend to paddle once or twice a month depending on time of year and coaches availability. The standard we aim to achieve within canoeing reflect across the British Canoeing.
So I (Pilot Officer Melissa Cole) and Flight Lieutenant Lorraine Mann decided to run a Gold Paddling Expedition for the Wing as both of our units had cadets wanting to complete a Gold Duke of Edinburgh award this year.
This was going to be a difficult plan ahead however the group worked together and got things like kit, Training over private land (TOPL) sorted, suitable program within a time frame and most of all funding.
The Ulysses Trust awarded us with a grand to aid our expedition so the group could complete the training needed for this Award.
I would definitely say this was an expedition challenge – “Funding”. Not only was money needed to go and provide for the trip- we needed the right kit and equipment for the trip. Also the intensive training program was very costly. Our wing did not have the right equipment to complete a Gold Paddling Duke of Edinburgh award as this was the first of its kind. So we started with our own fundraising within our wing. At the Wing we decided to run the canteen for about 1000 participants including staff serving tea and coffee and other similar refreshments.
Mr Ellery’s experience really helped out a lot as he also runs a café as a family business. So we followed his lead. The team worked fantastically well using all resources from all the squadrons taking part in the expedition and we made a fantastic profit. Flt Lt Mann was in charge of costings and she worked out we were short of a few pennies.
I then approached Ulysses for funding as some of our participants were on low income. Canoeing expeditions can be very expensive. All of the participants had already applied for this expedition, so Flt Lt Mann and I didn’t want to turn anyone away due to funding.
It was truly fantastic opportunity how everyone came together and “funding” was not an expedition challenge anymore.
Message from Rosie Morton participant:
“Throughout out my time in the air cadets- I realised that not everyone gets the opportunity to do the activities they want. If you want to achieve something particular – you got to put in 100%. That’s what I and my group did. The Ulysses Trust gave me the opportunity to complete my Gold DofE Award Canoeing along with others who normally wouldn’t get a chance. I, we as a group cannot thank them enough.”
Message from Plt Off Melissa Cole:
“I can’t believe after a whole year of planning with the best bunch of people- we actually achieved a Gold Canoeing Expedition. The help from Ulysses was Fantastic! It reminded us as a group that expeditions can come alive and be offered to everyone regardless of background. For me- that’s what Air Cadets is all about- working together to achieve challenging expeditions.”
TO STRIVE,TO SEEK,TO FIND,AND NOT TO YIELD.
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
