Lions club donation helps Banbury Sea Cadets buy new kayak

Following a full clean of their meeting base and with the weather warming up, the Banbury Sea Cadets have been able to take to the water to put their skills into action. Kayaking is just one of the activities they undertake each week.

Banbury Lions Club President John Coupleditch said: “Banbury Lions are delighted to have been able to help the Sea Cadets with the donation of a new Kayak. As an organisation we are keen on supporting organisations that engage young people and give them a sense of purpose and achievement. We hope that this is the start of a great relationship between the lions and the Sea Cadets in Banbury.”

The Sea Cadets are a nationally recognised voluntary youth cadet force who work in partnership with the Royal Navy. All cadet units are run as a charity so depend on fundraising activities to enable adventurous and maritime pursuits for the local youth.

Martin Adkins, the commanding officer at the Sea Cadet unit in Banbury, said the youth organisation offers a number activities and skills to children ages 10 to 18.

Mr Adkins said: "Now government guidance has been amended, we are now able to offer face2face training at our unit and boating at Grimsby Reservoir. With us going back to the water the Banbury Lions recognise the hard work the cadets and volunteers have put in and kindly donated a Kayak to the unit.

"Sea Cadets currently offer the cadets the opportunity to gain qualifications following the British Canoeing syllabus. This kayak will allow additional cadets/ volunteers on the water and work towards these qualifications.

"As the commanding officer of the unit we give thanks to Banbury Lions for this support and we look forward to meeting them on the water soon."

For more information on Banbury Sea Cadets visit http://www.banburyseacadets.org.uk or email [email protected]