Volunteers at 495 (Sutton Coldfield) Squadron, Air Training Corps were surprised when they saw a heartfelt tribute on their Facebook page.
To mark Volunteers Week, which is run from 1st-7th June, cadets decided to make a montage holding up a sign that read, ‘Thank you staff at 495 for all your work’. It was accompanied by a kind message:
‘To all our amazing staff at 495 (Sutton Coldfield) Squadron, thank you! We appreciate how much time and effort you devote towards the Squadron in order to give us some fantastic experiences. Without you, the Squadron wouldn’t be able to run. Thank you once again from the Cadets of 495’.
The staff team, entirely made of volunteers, were touched by this kind gesture. ‘It’s little things like this that are the reason we give up so much time for the Squadron,’ commented the Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Emma Hart.
The Air Cadets is an organisation run by volunteers. The Squadron staff devote their time to parade twice a week in the evening as well as attend events at weekends. Recently, staff have had to juggle remote working and home schooling with activities to keep cadets engaged online.
The Royal Air Force Air Cadets not only teaches teenagers valuable life skills, but it allows them to attain qualifications in Aviation, Radio, Leadership, First Aid etc. They get an opportunity to enjoy activities such as sports, music as well as adventure training. Most cadets participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which highlights the benefits of volunteering. Cadets have opportunities to go flying and can also undertake Aerospace courses. None of the above would not be possible without the time and dedication from staff. Tonight at 8pm, the volunteers will be having a virtual toast to commemorate the staff from all over the nation.
To find out more information about volunteering please visit the air cadet website.