RAF Air Cadets - Temporarily 'Grounded'

Totton boasts a long established, popular and active Royal Air Force Air Cadet Squadron. Centrally based and growing in numbers, 2498 Squadron offers youngsters from the age of 12 the most amazing opportunities. At present, we are seeking support from those of you that may be prepared to help us with our fundraising efforts. Our Cadets meet twice weekly in a dilapidated building in Cheam Way, Totton. We also take our Cadets out at weekends to RAF Air Cadet camps and other activities including sports events, formal parades and flying training. These events form part of the RAF Air Cadet training programme which offers young people the opportunity to develop life and leadership skills that will equip them well when seeking future employment or if moving towards a services career.

To learn more about RAF Air Cadets click here:

RAF Air Cadets

Not only do we occupy a run-down building but our recently vandalised Cadet minibus is proving to be more and more unreliable to the extent that we now face the prospect of not being able to attend camps and events. Raising funds to repair our damaged minibus is our primary focus as without transport we cannot offer cadets the chance to take part in any of the fantastic opportunities on offer such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, fieldcraft, adventure training and supporting community events. During the last few months, our minibus has been repeatedly vandalised with its windows broken on more than one occasion. We returned to the squadron this week to find the vehicle jacked up and with no wheels! In perpetrating the theft, the thieves also damaged the chassis and doors.

"This means we are unable to go out and train together or continue with cadet development. We work really hard to support each other and to give all cadets a really great experience in whatever they do within our organisation. We also use our minibus to get to community events where we give back to society and help others. It is so disappointing to see such mindless vandalism that impacts so negatively on what we do," stated Corporal Will Datlen.

"We are desperately seeking funds to help repair our bus so we can go back to enjoying cadet life and making sure that young people really have the chance to do things that they will benefit from and that they in turn can give back to others" he continued.

All funds that we might receive from any generous donors will go towards sustaining our minibus and transport needs. Thank you.