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Longbenton Air Cadets are flying on cloud nine after receiving the 2021 Prince of Wales’s Expeditionary Award.
The Award was presented by Air Chief Marshall Sir Simon Bryant at The Ulysses Trust’s 30th Anniversary event at Cadogan Hall, Chelsea, London.
The Prince of Wales’s Expeditionary Awards highlight the very best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning. The annual awards are selected each year from cadet and reservist expeditions supported by The Ulysses Trust, whose Patron is HRH the Prince of Wales. The Award recognises the cadet or reservist unit that showed the most tenacity when conducting an expedition in the face of very demanding Covid-related guidelines and requirements.
The Trust team agreed unanimously that the winner of the 2021 Award should be 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron, for conducting a series of expeditions that supported cadets to attain Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards – 33 Awards in total.
The Longbenton Squadron showed an outstanding level of determination to ensure that the cadets had great expeditions on the beautiful Northumberland Coastline and striking Cleveland Hills, despite having to deal with a raft of requirements stemming from the pandemic.
The Ulysses Trust’s Chairman, Air Vice Marshall Nick Kurth CBE FRGS said,
“It should not be lost that 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron came out in front of all reserve, university cadet and cadet units, with their tenacity to provide an expedition experience for their cadets. Indeed, they were particularly keen to ensure that the cadets did not miss out despite the very challenging COVID rules and guidelines.”
Squadron Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson, commented,
“The young people showed grit, determination, and ambition to complete their expeditions. Getting outside again was so important to them for many reasons and their resilience is a testament to them.
“To have the character, tenacity and drive recognised by the Trustees, through the Prince of Wales’s Award, is very special and something that was totally unexpected.
“I sincerely thank The Ulysses Trust and RAF Charitable Trust for this life-changing opportunity.”
The expeditions were supported by an RAF Charitable Trust grant of £6,840 awarded to The Ulysses Trust.
Although the Trust’s Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales was unable to attend the event, he wrote a special message for attendees, which was read out during the proceedings.
“The Trust has provided support for so many within our Cadet and Reserve Forces through a variety of challenging expeditions and adventurous activities. The characteristics which are developed through such experiences continue to demonstrate real value, not only to the Armed Forces, but society at large. Our nation’s Reserve Forces and Cadets remain a vital investment in the future of Defence, which I do hope signifies the importance of the work undertaken by the Trust. I need hardly say that I was greatly heartened to learn that activities have now resumed after the restrictions of the last two years.”
Image taken by Mr Kevin Poolman for The Ulysses Trust. Photographs Copyright. Other photographs are available on request.