CalMac cash for cadets is welcomed
Help is on hand for Campbeltown’s Sea Cadets to finance more training courses and the cost of travelling to them.
The town’s cadets will soon have access to more varied and challenging training thanks to the support of ferry operator CalMac’s new Community Fund.
The unit has been given a grant to help it deliver nautical-themed training to help the cadets develop a range of practical life skills that will help prepare them for further education or for moving into the workplace.
Ken Watson, the unit’s treasurer, said: ‘As we come from a small rural location, our young people have very limited opportunities.
‘The funding from CalMac will allow us to send cadets on offshore voyages, and national and area training, which always involves a 300mile round trip.
‘These training events give the cadets the opportunity to experience a wider world, gain valuable life experiences and meet other cadets around the country.’
CalMac’s Community Fund is open to non-profit organisations involved in activities that will benefit young people aged 26 and under from island or coastal communities the company supports. To date it has supported 31 projects across west coast communities.
Fantastic
‘The response since we made the first round of awards earlier in the year has been fantastic,’ said Brian Fulton, who is CalMac’s director of community engagement.
‘We are already seeing the money put to good use in the Western Isles and I’m delighted that we are able to help Campbeltown’s Sea Cadets take their training to the next level.’
Each application was judged by a screening panel of young people recruited from across the company’s network, in partnership with Young Scot.
Other awards made in the Southern Hebrides and Kintyre area included the Isle of Jura Development Trust in support of its Jura Basecamp project; Port Ellen Mothers and Toddlers for its Port Imagination project; Islay Natural History Trust’s nature centre, children and families activity programme; Islay Archers’ Archery for All project; the Islay and Jura Youth Action Movie Club and help for the 1st Tarbert Guide Unit to organise a cultural trip to Belfast.
Last year CalMac’s 33-strong fleet carried more than 5.3 million passengers and 1.4 million vehicles to 50 ports and slipways on island and remote mainland locations.