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We are running Tough Mudder on Sun 27 September. Tough Mudder is a team-oriented 12 mile (20 km) obstacle course designed to test physical strength and mental grit. You can watch a video of what it entails here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BQa9Gbyd_Y

Tough Mudder puts camaraderie over finisher rankings and is not a timed race but a team challenge that allows participants to experience exhilarating, world-class obstacles that you can't find anywhere else. So we thought it'd be a great one to do to raise money for our Sea Cadet Unit, as teamwork is a core value of what we teach! 

Some of you may not know much about Sea Cadets but we cannot understate what an incredible charity it is and the real, lasting impact it has on children and their futures. Crucially, we are an inclusive charity and keep our costs for parents/cadets VERY low (approx £20 a quarter!) so the opportunities are open to everyone!

It is only made possible by volunteers who give up their free time to teach the cadets and also fundraise! Each unit is responsible for raising it’s own money to keep going and so we are fundraising for our Unit -  Wandsworth, Chelsea & Fulham Sea Cadets, also known as Training Ship CHALLENGER

For those of you who do not know much about Sea Cadets, here is an overview:

Sea Cadets is a national youth charity offering young people aged 10 to 18 life-changing nautical adventure with a heritage based on the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy. We offer a range of qualifications and training from BTEC’s to RYA accredited courses, helping them to build skills and have an advantage as they start out in life.

Pulling together to navigate Britain’s coastal waters is an inspiring way for young people to find new confidence and help to develop self-belief and valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication. These in turn can help lay foundations for future success in whatever career they choose. What cadets learn with us extends into every part of their lives. For example a survey in schools reported that teachers who saw young people engaged in cadet activity were:

- More organised
- Have better communication and thinking skills
- The quality of their work improved
- Have higher attendance
- Improved behaviour

Here’s some of the activities our cadets can undertake:

Water-Based Adventure: We have our own Fleet of: 2 yachts, 2 power vessels; TS Jack Petchey, TS John Jerwood, and our flag ship TS Royalist, a 29 metre brig. Plus, from dinghy sailing in Weymouth to a dive centre in Liverpool, cadets try kayaking, power boating, canoeing, rowing and windsurfing, plus diving - most of our courses are accredited too by the leading UK bodies like RYA, British Canoe Union, or the British Sub Aqua Club. 

Land Adventure: Mountain bike down twisty trails. Climb up sheer rock faces. Race sailing dinghies on the UK’s lakes. Whatever cadets choose, there is a world of exciting challenges waiting for you. Drill, Piping and Music are traditional activities cadets take pride in and there are competitions and ceremonial events from fetes and carnivals to big ticket days like national Trafalgar Day Parade in London.

Skills, Fun & Competition: Sea Cadets can gain qualifications in a whole range of skills from sailing, yachting, diving, and even marine engineering! Our qualifications count too as most are accredited by the leading UK bodies including the RYA, British Canoe Union, British Sub Aqua Club and St Johns’ Ambulance -  so they stay with you for life.

Qualifications: BTEC’s in Marine Engineering, Music and Public Service. Royal Yachting Association in Sailing, Powerboating and Navigation. British Canoeing Union’s Paddlesports. St John's Ambulance Brigade in Youth First Aid, Activity First Aid and First Aid at Work. Duke of Edinburgh's Award all Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. British Sub Aqua Club’s Ocean Diver, Sports Diver and the Institute of Leadership and Management qualifications. 

Overseas: Every year cadets can apply for the opportunity to travel to places like Bermuda, America, Hong Kong and Australia. As part of our International Exchange programme we work with other Sea Cadets all over the world to bring great opportunities. It's a chance to broaden horizons by seeing life in another country and sharing experiences. There's also the chance to train in Canada for up to 6 weeks or participate in a leadership course in France.