Three London Army Cadets receive St John Ambulance Young First Aider of the Year Award

As part of his normal syllabus Cadet Lance Corporal Aaron Field ( Middx & NW London ACF) had just attended his First Aid Training. Amazingly he put it into practice at home in the following week.   Whilst his dad was doing some repairs at home, he fell off a ladder and through a glass window severely injuring his arm. Luckily, Cadet Lance Corporal Field was on hand and able to give first aid straight away, which saved his dad the use of his arm. He recalls what happened. Aaron has been a cadet for 3 years. His father, a former cadet himself, is Company Sergeant Major Instructor Martin Field has been a Cadet Leader since 2004. He said  “I am both very proud and also very grateful to Aaron, he saved my life in what were fairly dire circumstances – he knew just what to do and took full control of the situation”

Dominic and Ioannis (South West London Sector ACF) were on the bus on their way to cadets when they witnessed a motorcycle colliding with a car. They leapt off the bus and found two casualties – the motor cyclist and the driver of the car. Dominic dealt with the motor cyclist, who had sustained injuries to his legs and face, was suffering from shock and was semi- conscious. A bystander offered a first aid kit and assisted Dominic in applying bandages. Dominic maintained constant reassurance of the casualty and kept bystanders from crowding him. The paramedics took at least 30 minutes to arrive, but when they did Dominic gave a clear and professional handover. Ioannis dealt with the woman driver of the car, who was shaking and in shock. Ioannis took the woman away from the scene, reassured her and checked her for injuries. He also reassured her young son who was with her. Ioannis then directed the traffic which had become a hazard.

The charity’s annual Young First Aider awards celebrate the actions of young people who have put their first aid skills into practice in serious situations. This year’s winners include a nine-year-old boy who helped to treat an elderly man who had collapsed while shopping, a 13-year-old who saved his dad’s life after he suffered a serious arm wound and a four year-old girl, who attended to her mum when she fell down the stairs at home.

First Aid is one of the many life skills taught in the Army Cadet Syllabus to teenagers aged 12-18 years.

More info at www.armycadets.com about your local Army Cadets. Cadets are aged 12-18 and Volunteer Leaders aged 19 -55.

Top Award for Camden Army Cadet

DL Award

Eighteen year old Cadet Corporal Connor Lincoln (18) of 233 Camden Detachment (Rifles) has been presented with the prestigious Deputy Lieutenant Award by Mayor of Camden, Councillor Abdul Quadir .

Connor was accompanied by his family at the Lord Mayor’s Parlour for the ceremony on Wednesday (9th May). Deputy Lieutenant Sir Ian Johnston CBE QPM DL read the following the citation from Connors commanding officer.

Cadet Corporal Lincoln has been a true asset to have in my detachment.  He has held many roles in the unit, most notably his current role as Senior Cadet. From knowing Cpl Lincoln when he first joined, I can honestly say how proud I am of him and mature he has grown. Cadets like Cpl Lincoln are the reasons why we do this job. Cpl Lincoln has been a role model to my cadets, from the recruits to the riflemen to the other NCOs.  He has nurtured them well.

The Deputy Lieutenant Award is an annual award which recognises achievement and outstanding service as one of London’s Cadets. (Only 60 are awarded throughout all London to all cadet services).

Deputy Commissioner Addresses Volunteer Police Cadets!

Young Leaders meet the Deputy Commissioner

On Monday 23rd April, the new Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Craig Mackay addressed a group of cadets to congratulate them on the recent receipt of a prestigious National Crimebeat Award, and hear about their experiences as cadets.

Prior to the inaugural meeting of the Young Leaders Forum, the Deputy Commissioner thanked a representative group of cadets for the extraordinary commitment they make to London, and in helping the Metropolitan Police Service through particularly challenging times. He praised cadets for their commitment, presence and perseverance in presenting a positive image of young people and the police when there is so much challenging press, and spoke of how impressed he was at the impact they have had in helping to achieve our policing priorities, stating that they represented “The very best of young people in London.”

Cadets Femi Akintoye from Croydon, and Verity Brooker from Sutton made a short presentation to the Deputy Commissioner on what being a member of the VPC meant to them, with Femi Akintoye stating that: “Being a member of the VPC isn’t just about being part of the police, although this is extremely beneficial for us, but we are also so proud to be positive role models to young people at a time when there is so much youth crime, and we are proud to be helping to show an alternative path for young people, and help  make a greater London.”

Following this the Deputy Commissioner congratulated the group on the achievement of the National Crimebeat Award, supported by the High Sheriffs Association, and spoke of how significant and appropriate this level of recognition is for all that cadets do in London.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh then formally opened the inaugural Young Leaders’ Forum, founded and chaired by Zakariya Ahmed, Head cadet from Hackney. The Forum is an initiative created by cadets who are aspiring leaders within the VPC and who have recently received leadership training from the central VPC team. DAC Kavanagh spent time talking to cadets about the importance of courage humility in leadership, which he was impressed to see so clearly in the young leaders at the forum. DAC Kavanagh expressed his commitment to listening to and working with young people about how to solve the issue of youth crime in London, and tasked the forum to come up with 10 suggestions on how the MPS can engage with young people more effectively going forward.

The forum expressed how proud they felt to be involved in such a task, and have begun developing these suggestions which will be presented to DAC Kavanagh’s office within the week.

Top Award for Paddington School Army Cadet

Victoria receives award and congratulations from the Lord Mayor

Cadet Lance Corporal Victoria Large (15) a Year 10 pupil at Paddington Academy has been presented with the prestigious Deputy Lord Lieutenant certificate by the Lord Mayor of Westminster  The Right Worshipful Susie Burbridge.

West London Army cadets scoop National Football trophies

Senior Boys Football White City Winning Team

The long road to Cumbria from West London was worthwhile for 204 White City ( Para) and 202 Acton ( Royal Engineers) Detachments of Middlesex and North West London Army Cadets. They journeyed northwards in hopes that both the Seniors and Juniors National football trophies might be theirs – a double whammy happened last in 2009. Both teams dreams were realised and they scooped the senior and junior national championship trophies, bringing them back to London.

204 White City cadets have now won two years in a row, successfully defending and retaining their title as best ACF senior football team across the UK.  202 Acton cadets made a huge improvement on last years effort grabbed best ACF junior football team across the UK in great style winning every single game.

Colonel Mark Hodson TD , Sector Commandant said “ This is tremendous news. Well done to all those involved, adult volunteers for making it happen and cadets for playing so determinedly well alike. This is really good news, everyone should be rightfully proud”.

Training starts right away in West London to ensure that an equally good result is achieved next year.

Greater London cadets reach final selection for prestigious national award with education charity CVQO

Jessica Garrod ATC & Precious Oyelade SELACF

On the 11th April, 18 year old Precious Oyelade of South East London ACF and 18 year old Jessica Garrod of 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron, London Wing ATC, plus 19 more young competitors will face a challenging 36 hour assessment in the Quantock Hills in Somerset to determine which of them, selected from over 20,000 young people earning extracurricular qualifications with educational charity CVQO, can prove themselves worthy of the top prize.

Honour Guard for Queen’s Harrow visit

Guard of honour group

Army Cadets from Harrow ( Royal Army Medical Corps)  and Kingsbury ( Royal Engineers) were among the many uniformed youth groups who provided an Honour Guard for the arrival of HM Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the Krishna Avanti School in Harrow today (29th March).

As part of the Queen’s Jubilee tour the Royal visitors were entertained with music, song and dance from a huge range of cultures and traditions.

Cadets were on hand to distribute programmes, and to assist some of the hundreds of invited guests.

Harrow Army Cadets Officer Lieutenant Mike Ryan who was in charge of the Honour Guard said “All the preparation has been worthwhile for this really happy day, and the all young people have done us proud. ”

Leader of Harrow Council Councillor Bill Stephenson was most appreciative of the help and support given by the Cadets and Youth Groups and the Armed Forces in the Borough. Both the Mayor and Councillor Stephenson are pictured with the young people as they prepared for their duties.

YOU groups line Queen’s route

Thousands of members of the public attended the park and cheered the Royal party as they walked past.  Head Cadet Zainab Abbas had the special role of assisting the Ladies-in-waiting with all the gifts and flowers from well wishers.

The Duke and his Equerry both commented on how smart all the YOU people were.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson also attended the day and took the time to shake hands with members of the public.

Redbridge Head Cadet Zainab Abbas said: ‘Seeing the Queen today was a wonderful experience. The public were so excited and the atmosphere was great. It turned out to be the perfect day for it with the sun out!’

Redbridge Borough Commander Sue Williams said: ‘I was very proud of the MPS cadets and the role they played in the visit by the Queen to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. They all looked very smart and acted with the utmost professionalism and played a vital role on the day to ensure the safety of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. They are role models for other young people on the Borough and were a credit to the MPS on such an important occasion.

Deputy Lieutenant Col. Paul Acda said: “All were most impressed by the enthusiasm and  turnout of the members of the YOU organizations that lined the route into  Valentine’s Park. In effect these young people welcomed HM The Queen and Prince  Phillip to Redbridge. It was a testament to the organization within each  contingent, and the work of PC Amanda Miller, the Redbridge YOU Coordinator that  over 400 members of YOU Redbridge took part in this historic  event.”

Volunteer Police Cadets win National Crimebeat Award!

On Thursday 21st March, Ten Police cadets from across London were presented a National Crimebeat ‘Special Achievement’ award by the High Sherriff of Greater London, Lady Elizabeth Arnold. Lady Elizabeth Arnold sponsored the VPC programme for this award, after she visited cadets in Hammersmith and Fulham and participated in their leadership and team building lessons run by PS Philip Ross Martyn. Lady Arnold said she was delighted to support the VPC programme having been impressed by its scope and the important opportunities it offers young people in London.

The Metropolitan Police Volunteer Police Cadets Programme won the award for its outstanding contribution to building bridges between the police and young people in London.

National Crimebeat, the charity of the Association of High Sheriffs of England & Wales, encourages young people to get involved with and take responsibility for crime reduction projects in their local communities, and traditionally focuses on recognising projects run independently by young people. However, the judging panel were so impressed with the work of the VPC that they created an extraordinary award to recognise the value that cadets and their adult leaders give to London. The judges were particularly impressed at the programmes proactive work in the aftermath of the August disorder, which saw cadets out in force across London’s most affected areas, helping to re-build communities and the public image of young people, both of which were so damaged by the disturbances.

The Volunteer Police Cadet programme is the primary youth engagement and diversion programme run by the Metropolitan Police for young people between 14 and 18 years old, and including those who have been or are vulnerable to crime and/or social exclusion. There is at least one cadet unit in every London borough.

DAC Steve Kavanagh said: “I was delighted to see the VPC receive this award. I am constantly impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of our cadets, especially those who are turning their lives around. Engaging and working with young people in this way is a key part of our operational responsibility to London, and the VPC are a shining example of how we do this.”

Hackney cadet Zakariya Ahmed said: “It was great to receive recognition and be rewarded by patrons of our society for our work with cadets. It was also great to see that there are many other young people across the country engaging in positive actions, defeating the stereotype put on youngsters by the media in society today”

Volunteering Event – Date for the diary

If you want to volunteer and help change lives then we have the perfect opportunity for you. We need adult volunteers so we can expand the number of young people aged 14-19 who have the opportunity to join Volunteer Police Cadets. We are holding an event on 1st May at 6pm in Central London for anyone interested in volunteering with us.

On the evening you will have the chance to meet some of our amazing cadets, find out about the recruitment process, ask any questions you may have and speak to existing volunteers who can tell you exactly what to expect when volunteering with the Volunteer Police Cadets.

If you would like to attend please email cadets@met.police.uk or visit www.met.police.uk/cadets for more information.