News
August 7th 2013
Swadlincote Air Cadet Officer to March 62 Miles in 24 hours
On 9 August 2013, Pilot Officer (PO) Matt Leedham from 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron (Sqn) Air Training Corps (ATC) will be travelling to Bornem, Belgium to take part in an annual march (Dodentocht).
This event is a long distance march covering 100 kilometres (or 62 miles) in 24 hours to raise funds for the Squadron.
The march began in 1970 with 69 participants and has since grown too 10957 participants in 2012 with organisers adopting the motto “walking for a better world.”
Ahead of this challenge, PO Leedham said: “I’m apprehensive about the walk as it is a large distance to cover in a short space of time, but i’m confident I can complete the challenge and raise a lot of money for the squadron.”
PO Leedham’s reward for completing such a gruelling challenge will be a certificate confirming his timings, a medal, badge and a pineapple.It is thought that this event is more than worthy of its name due to the length of the march and the rough and forested terrain.
Lining the route will be crowds of supporters adding to the excellent atmosphere and encouraging the marchers, like Swadlincotes own PO Leedham to keep going.Local companies that are situated along the route have also recently got involved in supporting the event.
Cadets and fellow staff members of 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron wish PO Leedham the best of luck for this gruelling challenge that still lies ahead of him.This year, the marchers progress can now be followed online, through the official website: www.dodentocht.be as a new tracking system has now been created. This is done through using a small RFID tag on a badge worn outside PO Leedham’s clothing that are automatically scanned at each of the 15 checkpoints and additionally at random points through the route.If you would like to track Matt’s progress through the walk you can do from 10pm on 9 August 2013 with his participant numberbeing 4918.
If you are also interested in sponsoring PO Leedham, please get in touch with the Squadron using the contact details below.
1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron Air Training Corps holds regular annual recruitment evenings for both prospective new cadets and adult instructors alike. For more information, please contact our Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Alyn Thompson, by email at oc.1211@aircadets.org, by phone (01283) 212629 or visit our website at, http://www.1211sqn.org.uk/
