Cadets thank companies for tree work

ASea Cadet group in Staffordshire has thanked two companies which have helped clear a dead tree which had been overhanging the group’s access to a river.

The Stafford and Rugeley Sea Cadets have received free of charge help from ABA Crane Hire and Hill Tree Care in carrying out the muchneeded work.

Sea Cadet member Kerry Bailey explained: “The situation we had was that we had an extremely dangerous tree on the land that the group runs from. This tree seriously needed taking down as it was completely rotten.

“It covered the main through route to the river that the kids use to kayak from, meaning until this tree was removed the kids could not do this activity safely.

“The other issue we also had is that the tree was also overhanging the main footpath into Stafford next to the river, and if anything fell and hurt someone it was not even worth thinking about.”

Kerry continued: “All of the activities the kids do are completely self funded through various fundraising activities as well as the kids paying a monthly ‘subs,’ so as you can imagine paying for a tree surgeon as well as all of the additional equipment was just something that wouldn’t be possible without extensive funding which we don’t have.

“However two businesses agreed to help us, doing so completely free of charge in order to help the community and the kids, which I think is nothing short of a miracle in this current financial climate.

“These two companies - ABA Crane Hire and

Hill Tree Care – are utterly fantastic.”

The work on the tree was carried out earlier this Spring by the two companies.

Kerry said: “What a job those fellas had on their hands.

“I would like to emphasis how amazing they are and thank them for their extremely spectacular generosity in such times.”

Following the removal of the tree, a ‘Big Help Out’ event took place at the Sea Cadet’s unit and grounds which saw lots of volunteers band together to further spruce up the site including painting, clearing, gardening, refurbishing and more.

A spokesman for the group said: “A huge thank you to all cadets, parents, staff, supporters and others that came to the unit for our Big Help Out evert.

“We were overwhelmed with the amount of people that came to lend a hand - 36 in total.

“This meant that we got everything we wanted to do and more completed and the unit now looks great.”

They continued: “We managed to clear the grounds of years of build up weeds, litter and we even got rid of equipment that we don’t need anymore.

“The grass was mowed, entrances tidied and we even managed to get some painting done inside too. We can’t thank you all enough.”

The group is on the look out for volunteers to join the committee to help keep the group going.

To find out more about the Stafford and Rugeley Sea Cadets, which has members from across Staffordshire, go online to: www.facebook.com/staffordrugeleyseacadets.