The briefing

News from across Army Cadets

Triumphant return of Rorke’s Drift Concert

Musicians of Gwent and Powys ACF were joined by others from across the UK in the annual Rorke’s Drift Concert at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon in February. It was the 23rd time the event had taken place and was a triumphant return after being put on hold for a few years due to adverse weather and the pandemic.

DofE news

More than 3,000 Duke of Edinburgh's Awards are underway and over 1,000 completed since April 2022. The top performing counties (at the time of writing) were Northumbria ACF for enrolments, and Somerset ACF for completions. Can your county challenge their top spots?

Congratulations to the following, who have recently achieved their Gold DofE Awards:

Jack Nicholls Lancashire ACF

Tyrone Longton Lancashire ACF

Elliot Davies Somerset ACF

Ryan Gourlay Black Watch Bn ACF

Charlotte Huntley Cheshire ACF

Sheetal Chopra Cambridgeshire ACF

Matthew Peters Devon ACF

New CFAVs (and those who would like a refresher) can access DofE e-induction by scanning the QR code or clicking here

It takes 30-45 minutes and completion should be recorded on Westminster.

Sally Orange's sensational seven

Many of you will have followed the progress of Army Cadets National Ambassador Sally Orange as she completed her immense 7-7-7 Marathon Challenge. The adventure saw her complete seven marathons over seven days on seven different continents, which raised money for seven charities. More people have stood on top of Everest than finished this challenge and Sally becomes the fifth British woman and the only British female military veteran to accomplish this World Marathon Challenge.

Well done to all cadets who undertook a number-seven-related physical challenge for DofE at the same time.

What will you do for the ACCT UK Cadet Challenge 2023?

The Army Cadet Charitable Trust

UK (ACCT UK) is challenging cadets to get involved in a huge fundraising effort to raise money to benefit fellow cadets. The Cadet Challenge 2023 is calling all cadets and CFAVs to raise at least £10 before the end of 2023.

The majority of cadets will have benefited from support from ACCT UK, even if they don't realise it, and the charity wants to continue to help cadets achieve their full potential in the ACF.

Those who come up with an especially innovative moneyraising idea will also be in with a chance of winning ACCT UK's Fundraising Award, which will be presented at the BAE Recognising Excellence Awards in London in 2024.

ACCT UK is the official charity for the ACF and for over 90 years has ensured all cadets have access to affordable, exciting challenges and adventures such as trips abroad, specialised camps and more. The charity also provides help with insurance, grants and training, and has introduced a mental health support helpline for CFAVs and their families.

Click here or scan the QR code to set up your fundraising page.

Click here or scan the QR code to read ACCT UK's A-Z of Fundraising.

Special recognition from ACCT UK

PI Nadine Howard (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire ACF) is the first person in ten months to achieve the prestigious Meritorious Action Certificate (the higher of the two ACCT UK awards). Nadine witnessed a car crash and immediately went to help. A 50-year-old female victim was lapsing in and out of consciousness and complained of severe back and neck pain. Leaving her own two young children with a bystander, PI Howard climbed into the back of the woman’s car to support her head and safeguard her neck and back. After 30 minutes the police arrived, and asked PI Howard to maintain support while they took over managing Nadine's children until an ambulance arrived 45 minutes later. PI Howard continued to assist while paramedics looked after the casualty.

Also, after nomination by ACCT UK, Royal Humane Society (RHS) Awards Resuscitation Certificates were granted to Lieutenant Christopher Cooper, Squadron Leader Jonathan Evans, Major Philip Anthony Hurley, Captain Franco Rizzo, Emma Lambert and SSI Austin Snelson. Three lives were saved by their successful resuscitation attempts.