Maryport and Solway Sea Cadets Unit have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award possible for a local voluntary group, the equivalent of an MBE.
The hard-working and committed group of Sea Cadets volunteers, who are based in Maryport’s King Street, will receive the award crystal from the Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mr Alexander Scott in summer. Two of their lucky volunteers will also get to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in early Summer 2024.
“I am excited and honoured that our work has been recognised,” said Maryport and Solway Unit’s Chair, Mark Dawson. “This prestigious award is also thanks to the fantastic support of the entire community for their local Sea Cadets unit over many years. I would like to give a huge thanks to our wonderful volunteers for all their passion, enthusiasm and the many hours they put into creating a fun and safe environment for our young people to learn, develop skills and thrive in.”
The Commanding Officer of Maryport and Solway Sea Cadets, Lieutenant Claire Bostel said: “I am especially pleased to receive this award for all our current and former cadets. They should feel rightly proud of their contribution to the unit and to the community. If it takes a team effort to be awarded an individual honour, then it takes a community effort to be honoured with a KAVS. It is wonderful for that to be recognised by the King himself.”
Based in King Street, Maryport, the unit was established in 1981 currently has 18 Cadets, 8 Juniors, 13 Instructors, 6 UMT and 2 Honorary Positions inc. Unit President Rear Admiral (Rtd.) Tim Chittenden.
“The Sea Cadets volunteers supported my daughter through her rehabilitation process after her mobility issues prevented her from her first career choice with the Royal Navy,” said one of the parents, Janine. “They encouraged and challenged her to become a cadet paddlesports instructor, which she achieved. It’s also thanks to them that she was successful in securing a marine engineering apprenticeship. She is now a volunteer at the unit, providing the same support to the young people as she received herself.”
Maryport and Solway Sea Cadet Unit have recently been awarded grant funding to replace pontoons in the local marina to support their activities on the water, and a separate grant to refurbish the internal facilities at the unit building which have remained virtually unchanged since opening in 1982. The Unit Management Team are actively looking for support and volunteers to improve all aspects of the unit’s activities.
Press release provided by Maryport and Solway Sea Cadets. For more information on the King’s Award for Volunteer Service, please visit the dedicated website.
