451 Queens’ Platinum Jubilee Challenge

On 6th February this year, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives will occur throughout the year, culminating in a four day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June.

 

Cadet Sergeant Alex Brown from 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron plans to do his own Queens’ Platinum Jubilee Challenge by cycling around the perimeter of the Wales and West Region of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. This takes in the whole of Wales, some of Staffordshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire. En route, he’ll call in at as many Squadrons as possible, reinforcing the many Squadrons one Family ethos held within the Air Cadets.

 

The total length of the route is 600 miles with 33,000 feet of ascent (that's higher than Mt Everest), starting on Friday 27th May and finishing on Friday 3rd June, one of the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holidays. Whilst doing this, he hopes to raise £5000 to purchase canoeing equipment for his Squadron to enhance the adventure training experience their cadets get.

 

Sgt Brown says, “The Air Cadets has been an amazing experience for me over the past 4 years. There are so many opportunities on offer and our Staff are incredible in encouraging and showing you to maximise them. I know I’m trying to raise funds, but I also want to showcase just how much support and encouragement the Air Cadets offer when it comes to challenging yourself and taking on adventures. It is simply the best youth organisation there is and I’d encourage anyone to make contact with their local Squadron and give it a go, it's life changing. Do it today”