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Raising money for charity in the East Midlands

For example, Kayleigh Turner an adult volunteer with Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Army Cadet Force (ACF), walked 100km in the summer to raise £650 for charity, this is just one of the many fantastic stories from across the East Midlands.

One of the biggest charity appeals of 2017 actually took place close to Christmas and was organised by Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force (ACF).

They donated thousands of pounds worth of toys and clothing to Nottinghamshire children who were in hospital for the holidays.

Adult volunteers from Nottinghamshire ACF delivered the gifts to hospitals around the county

Senior adult volunteer, Regimental Sergeant Major Sean Holmes, who organised the Christmas appeal, explained: “We approached a selection of local companies who wanted to support our cause and we then went out to the shops and bought the presents.

“We got a lot of toys and games for the children but we also purchased baby clothes and a few other gifts to give away because we knew people would appreciate it.

“Each of us involved in the project felt humbled to be doing our bit for those in need over the festive season. We presented the gifts at four hospitals in the county and we were bowled over by the thanks we received.”

As well as appeals like this, reservists and cadets are also keen to challenge themselves in order to help raise money for charities.

The Army Reserve’s 160 (Lincoln) Transport Squadron pushed themselves in 2017 and competed in a Dragon Boat Race, something which none of them had ever done before in order to raise money for a local charity.

Along with sixteen local businesses, the reservists helped raise more than £7,000 in aid of three charities; The Nottingham and Lincolnshire Air Ambulance, LIVES and St Barnabas Hospice.

Members of 160 (Lincoln) Squadron, 158 Royal Logistic Corps taking part in the charity bike ride

That wasn’t the only fundraising activity 160 Squadron were involved with last year as they also teamed up with 203 (Loughborough) Squadron to cycle more than 2,200 miles on exercise bikes in November and raised more than £3,000 for the Poppy Appeal and the Army Benevolent Fund.

These Squadrons were not alone in cycling to fundraise, Flight Sergeant Sharon Wyatt based at Headquarters Intelligence Reserves at RAF Waddington, cycled 240 miles across Northern France with a friend in order to raise money for SSAFA.

Sharon explained: “My friend Flight Sergeant Lesley Woodley and I thrive on taking on new challenges and pushing ourselves to raise vital funds for charities close to our hearts.”

Adult volunteers from Nottinghamshire ACF took on the Three Peaks Challenge in June, this meant climbing the mountains of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in a 24 hour period.

A team of 10 participants took on this challenge, they were all raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund.

Steve Rogers, the Mickleover RBL Chairman and Major Bruce Spencer on their  sponsored walk

Major Bruce Spencer of the Army Reserve’s 162 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps also participated in a sponsored walk but his was across Derbyshire to commemorate the Battle of the Somme and also to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

These are just a selection of the incredible charity work reservists, cadets and Cadet Force adult volunteers participated in last year. Be sure to keep a check on our website to see what they achieve in 2018.