Local Army Cadets receiving an award from Royal British Leigon (From Your Local Guardian)

Local Army Cadets receiving an award from Royal British Leigon

1:32pm Monday 14th May 2012 in Elmbridge

Army cadets from 153 (Esher High school RRF Detachment) received a surprise award from The Royal British Legion for their efforts last November, when the cadet detachment raised £2699.15 for the Remberance day Poppies appeal. This was recognised in an Award Ceremony held by the Royal British Legion.

Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Instructor Billy Allan said” that receiving the award was I was more proud of being the detachment commander of Esher High school Detachment.

This story started last November when cadets from 153 Esher Detachment started supporting the RBL poppy appeal in their local area, standing outside Waitrose Supermarket and along Esher High Street. This was the first year the army cadets from 153 ESHER Detachment had been involved with the appeal.

Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Instructor Billy Allan said “We didn’t think any more of appeal as we were all chuffed at the amount that had been raised at the time”.

Then an invitation came through the post requesting that Staff Sergeant Instructor Allan and 4 cadets from the detachment were invited to attend the Royal British legion’s Surrey Poppy Award evening in Woking.

Staff Sergeant Instructor Allan explained that because it was the detachment’s first time of fund raising, he thought that the detachment had been invited to encourage more fund raising throughout 2012.

The awards ceremony took place in Gordon’s school, Woking where the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Mrs Sarah Guald and other guest such as Ms Penelope Keith, CBE (Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey) were awarding recognition certificates for those had taken part in last year’s fund raising. During the award Ceremony, 153, (High Esher High school RRF detachment) was awarded “Best Newcomer ” of all the uniformed youth groups.

Cadets J Dodd (14), A Reddick (14), O Wright (15) and D Pearcey (13) were the lucky cadets who went to represent their unit at the Award Ceremony and said they were honoured with the award and proud to represent their unit and their company.

During the reception afterwards, the Mayor of Elmbridge Mr John G Sheldon congratulated both the staff and cadets on their efforts in the funding raising. The Mayor has also expressed a wish to make a return visit to the Detachment as a direct result of that evening.

Based on information supplied by Lt Karen Lorimer.