CVC is a brilliant education charity that provides vocational qualifications to youth group members and their adult instructors. I have been lucky enough to have completed two well-recognised qualifications which are typically focused on areas such as public services, adventurous training, music, teamwork, leadership and management.

Their qualifications, accredited by Pearson BTEC, ILM and City & Guilds can be used to boost CVs, gain places in higher education or secure employment- of which I have personal experience of.

Due to my involvement with their qualifications I was fortunate enough to be nominated for their prestigious Westminster Award. This award brings together cadets from across the country and through a series of stages which culminated with the ultimate winner being announced at the House of Lords in September!

I have been fortunate enough to get down to the last stage of the competition with the other 11 finalists where we will be attending a 10 day expedition taking place over parts of Southampton and South Wales. Along the way we will be attached with a number of partner organisations whom we will work closely with to promote the theme of is ‘Think global, act local’. It is important to consider the overall impact of our actions on the planet, while realising that change can start on a local level - even on a grassroots scale, anyone has the power to make a positive impact.

A few of the partner organisations and educational experiences we will be working with and undertaking are listed below;

• The local wildlife and ecosystems and how local organisations are working together to protect them.

• Sea safety advice from the RNLI.

• Specialist mountain search and rescue services.

• Conservation on a global scale and humankind’s impact on the plant life and ecosystems around us.

To give my part towards the the partner charities we will be working and learning from I will be running a 1/2 km for every £1 donated throughout the months of August and September, this will begin on the 16th and end with completion.

Any support is massively appreciated and helps immensely with the daily operations of these groups. So if you feel like making me hate when the morning comes around and I need to fall out of bed into my running shoes, or you just like the idea of supporting a wide variety of charities then I encourage you to donate either way.

Massive thanks,

Oli