Fire Cadets train Duke of Edinburgh Award

A group of Cheshire Fire Cadets have taken up the challenge and completed their final expedition, towards gaining a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Altogether 40 cadets from Widnes, Northwich, Chester, Tarporley, Knutsford, Middlewich, Audlem, Crewe and Macclesfield units completed the final expedition which took place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June and consisted of a full days walk.

Each cadet gained key skills in map reading, pitching tents and cooking outdoors as part of the weekend. They also completed a two day training exercise in May to get themselves ready for this final expedition. They now need to included skill, volunteering and physical elements to achieve the award.

In small groups of between six and seven, the teams started their expedition at Little Budworth and ended it at Acton Bridge. They walked for eight hours, carrying all of their equipment which included tents, food and cookers, before camping in Shays Farm, Little Budworth. They then cooked their own meals using stoves.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Cadet Manager Vicky Wrest said: "This is the first time the group have been out without an escort, and it seems their map reading skills were up to scratch and the May weekend training paid off!

"They all performed very well on the final expedition which will go towards them getting their Duke of Edinburgh (D of E) Bronze Award, despite the poor weather conditions. If anyone is interested in becoming a Cheshire Fire Cadet don't hesitate to get in touch. All cadets are given the opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award absolutely free of charge, which looks fantastic on your CV."

Prized by universities and employers, the D of E Award is the UK's leading youth achievement award and offers a range of valuable experience for young people, from volunteering to life skills and expeditions.

If you're interested in becoming a Cheshire Fire Cadet, or you know of someone else who is, then please visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

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