40F represent LaSER at the Pride of Britain Awards 2019

Cadets from 40F (Maidstone) Squadron attended the Pride of Britain awards in London.

Each year squadrons from around the Corps enter into the Lees Trophy competition. The purpose of the competition is to find the best small squadron (45 cadets or less) in the Corps during that reporting year, based on achievement and efficiency. 40F (Maidstone) entered the competition and were selected to represent Kent Wing, before being inspected by the Regional Commandant for London and South East Region (LaSER), Group Captain Al Lewis. After all six wings representing squadrons were inspected by Group Captain Lewis, he selected 40F (Maidstone) to progress in the competition and represent LaSER at the next stage. 40F (Maidstone) was then inspected by Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, along with 5 other squadrons representing the other regions in the Corps. Unfortunately 40F (Maidstone) was not selected as the best squadron in this years competition and narrowly missed out to 111 (Sunderland) Squadron.

Cadets of 40F with Group Captain Lewis, Regional Commandant of London & South East Region, during the Lees Trophy inspection

As a reward for being LaSER winners of the competition 40F (Maidstone) were selected to represent the region at the Pride of Britain Awards evening on Monday 28th October 2019. The cadets were extremely smart and represented the wing and region to the highest standards at this prestigious event. The cadets lined the red carpet, met with celebrities and welcomed guests to the event. During the evening the cadets met with lots of celebrities and VIPs, taking lots of pictures and helping the event run smoothly. They also had the opportunity to meet with Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman. Well done 40F!

Cadets and Adult Volunteers from 40F (Maidstone) Squadron at the Pride of Britain Awards
Cadets from 40F Sqn with
Curtis Pritchard on the Red Carpet

Cadets from 40F Sqn with Holly Willoughby on the Red Carpet

The squadron travelled to central London on the tube before meeting the other cadets at the RAF Club opposite Bomber Command. The cadets spent some time in the club getting ready and briefed on the event before traveling to the event at Grosvenor House Hotel. The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards celebrates the achievements of truly remarkable people who make our world a better place. The awards honour British people where the winners, nominated by the public, are from all walks-of-life, of all ages, and from all over the country who have acted bravely and gone beyond the call of duty to save others, displaying selfless sacrifice and courage in challenging situations. Since the first Pride of Britain in 1999, royalty, prime ministers, and hundreds of leading figures from showbusiness, sport, politics and the arts have all taken part.

Group Captain Carol Vorderman – Carol is the first female Honorary Ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets

Group Captain Carol Vorderman at the Pride of Britain awards

The Air Cadets Ambassador Gp Capt Carol Vorderman hosts the awards ceremony with the event attracting an audience of around five million viewers every year in a primetime slot on ITV making it the highest rated awards show of its kind on British television.This year, the 20th anniversary of the awards is set to be an extra special event.