Page 102 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Ripley Detachment Honour Walk
Huge congratulations are in order for Ripley Detachment,
C Company who completed an Honour Walk from their detachment in Ripley, Derbyshire to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire for the British Legion Poppy Appeal. The walk was,
by permission of his parents, in honour of a local man Drummer Thomas Wright, who was the last WFR soldier to lose his life in Afghanistan before the regiment became The Mercian Regiment, as it is known today.
The walk progressed from Mill Hill School (Ripley Detachment) at 0930hrs on Friday 14th September, with those cadets who attend the school having the day off, with their head teacher’s permission, to help out their local RBL branch. The cadets were supported at the start by regular army soldiers from 2 MERCIAN and the Ram Major, Ram Orderly and L/Cpl Derby as well as local school children who lined the beginning of the route, along with local branch of RBL riders who accompanied the cadets for their first mile.
The cadets received much generosity along the way with local businesses donating money and food to the cadets, including Captain Meyers who fed and watered the cadets at his pub in Darley Abbey.
The route progressed through Derby to Derby Cathedral on Friday evening and onwards to the memorial. After camping Friday evening, the cadets set off from Stenson Fields on Saturday through to Barton-Under-Needwood to camp on Saturday evening, then onwards to the National Memorial Arboretum to be greeted by the Derbyshire ACF Band and the RBL riders again.
A short wreath-laying ceremony was held at the ACF memorial where the last post and also Reveille were played by the ACF Band. Also in attendance were Ripley detachment staff, Drummer Wright’s family, RBL members, the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Derbyshire ACF Padre, 2 MERCIAN soldiers and L/Cpl Derby – the regimental mascot. Then followed a service in the Arboretum’s chapel and a family service held at Drummer Wright’s tree.
The cadets covered a total of 45km and have so far raised £3000 but are continuing to raise funds until Armistice Day, hoping to increase their total.
GOSH! What a lot we’ve raised.
CSM Grant presenting the funds raised to SI Shaun Wood on behalf of Great Ormond Street Hospital
A Company were aiming high recently in a fundraising event for Great Ormond Street Hospital, but even they couldn’t have expected the tremendous support given by sponsors, with more than twice the target amount raised.
Over a single evening, around 80 cadets and their adult instructors took part in a sponsored ‘Beep Test’, the fitness test used by the police and military. An ambitious target of £900 was set and the cadets went about getting sponsors. Cadets took part in New Mills, Glossop, Bakewell, Chapel, Buxton, Matlock and Wirksworth.
The Beep Test event was organised by Sergeant Sue Tideswell. Sue learnt about the outstanding level of care offered to sick children at G.O.S.H. from Shaun Wood, another ACF adult, who has a family member currently undergoing treatment. On the night, the cadets put in maximum effort, with the result that the total exceeded £2200!
Sue says: “the effort put in by the cadets and adults has been tremendous. This is such a good cause, and they should all be proud of themselves.”
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Cadets Show Their Potential
A gruelling set of assessments and physical activities awaited selected cadets from Derbyshire, during the county’s Senior Cadet Development Training run in June.
Designed to help develop the leadership skills of some of the county’s most promising cadets, the training is based on the selection and assessment process used at the Cadet Forces Commissioning Board. Combining mental and physical challenges, the weekend course is aimed at preparing cadets for senior roles within their company.
The feedback from the cadets themselves was very positive. One candidate Cpl Rachel Oram said: “I think that it is a brilliant weekend for all senior Cadets to do as it makes you more aware of what the adults do. In addition, as it is so different from other camps, it makes a difference and engages you more.”
THE MERCIAN EAGLE