Shoreham Air Cadet Wins National Recognition

Cdt Sgt Charlie Harrison receiving his commendation from Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty CBE

On Friday 9 November Cadet Sergeant Charlie Harrison of 1440 (Shoreham-by-Sea) Squadron, Air Training Corps joined colleagues from across Sussex Wing at the Royal Geographical Society in London after they had been nominated for the prestigious Shackleton Trophy for their summer expedition to Peru.

Two teams from Sussex took part in a three-week expedition that saw them volunteering at the Azul Wasi Orphanage in Cusco an area of Peru where 30% of the population live below the poverty line. At the orphanage the cadets were involved in building new accommodation and a toilet block to allow the orphanage to take more homeless young people off the streets.

It didn’t stop there though! As a member of 1440 Squadron’s band he knew that music was a great way to bring joy and happiness to people’s lives. Before leaving the UK Charlie contacted the orphanage and asked the staff what else he could do, what he could take with him, that would help to make the lives of the residents better. Setting himself a target of £600 to buy guitars and percussion instruments so that he and his colleagues could teach the orphans to play, he raised an amazing £820! This meant that, as well as the instruments, the teams were able to buy tuning and repair equipment plus for footballs, skipping ropes and even a cricket set for the orphans to enjoy.

At the Royal Geographical Society event Charlie was presented with the top award the Air Cadets has to offer – a Commandant’s Commendation – for his dedication and pro-active fundraising for the orphans of Cusco. Receiving his certificate from the Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty CBE, Charlie said: “The trip to Peru was fantastic and the experiences we all shared were amazing. I’d just like to say thank you to everyone that donated so we could buy the instruments for the orphans who will hopefully enjoy them for years to come.”

1440 (Shoreham-by-Sea) Squadron Air Training Corps is part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets and first opened its doors in 1941. The Squadron take part in a range of exciting activities including flying and gliding and is open to young people aged 12 (and in Year 8 at school) to 18. The Squadron meets twice a week in Eastern Avenue, Shoreham and we are keen to recruit new cadets and adult volunteers with a background in aviation to help us deliver the best opportunities to our cadets. Anybody interested in joining should contact Flying Officer William Bruce RAFAC via e-mail: oc.1440@aircadets.org or visit the website www.1440sqn.org for more information

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