Air Cadets of 195 (Grimsby) Squadron, Royal Air Force Air Cadets, are this week celebrating after two local Lions Clubs donated brand new radios and team building packs to their unit.
Humberston North Sea Lions Club donated a total of five radios and three MTA building kits, each worth over £1000.
Meanwhile, Grimsby & Cleethorpes Lions Club donated another five of the state of the art radios.
Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Terance Shird, Officer Commanding 195 Squadron, said: “This equipment will make a fantastic addition to our Squadron and will add to the huge range of activities we already have on offer to our cadets.
“The radios will allow us to put more cadets through their radio communication qualifications, and the MTA kits will enable our cadets to build stronger team bonds.”
Bob Wrait, Vice-President of Humberston North Sea Lions said: “The cadets have helped us in the past to support our events, such as the Humberston Fun Run, and we are always impressed by their turnout – they are exemplary and work incredibly hard. We are only too pleased to help. We have a busy calendar for next year, with preparation for the next Humberston Fun Run ongoing.”
Grimsby & Cleethorpes Lions Club President, Fred Smiles, said: “The cadets have always offered their support for our events, and we are more than happy to make this donation. It is brilliant knowing that this donation will encourage more young people to build pride in themselves, confidence and respect. You read so many bad things but there is a heck of a lot of good.”
One member of Grimsby & Cleethorpes Lions, Mike Lawson, spent the evening reminiscing as he walked the corridors of the Squadrons building on Regents Gardens, off Westward Ho. Mr Lawson spent several years as a cadet when he was younger, and admitted “the place has changed somewhat, but there’s a lot that has stayed the same.”
Mr Lawson also donated a large radio arial, which formerly belonged to his father, who was a radio operator in the RAF.
Flt Lt Shird said: “This evening has been wonderful. The Lions Clubs have made several generous donations, and we cannot thank them, enough for the equipment they have donated.”
