Photo courtesy of Dunbar Sea Cadets
A Scottish Sea Cadet unit has enhanced safety for its members and upgraded its IT equipment for online training thanks to generous donations.
The Dunbar Sea Cadets were firstly gifted £498 from Scotmid to purchase two new laptops.
This will allow the unit’s volunteers to continue providing online training using new equipment during Covid-19 lockdowns.
The unit is currently involved in delivering training to over 30 Cadets a week across the area from Dunbar to Grangemouth.
The Commanding Officer, Chief Petty Officer Martin Galloway, said: “Throughout the lockdowns we have been trying to support our young people and their families through regular calls, transferring our syllabus to digital and engaging in emergency funding (MSSC emergency Cadet grants) to get them tablets and dongles so that they can stay connected and have access to our training.
“However, our IT was very old to start with and we did find ourselves with technology that has ceased to work.
“We are delighted for the very generous donation from Scotmid, it’s a dream come true for us.”
The second donation came from The Uniform and Leisurewear Company based in Morecambe which provided 60 high visibility vests.
Each year the unit aims to achieve 1,290 hours of boating for its Cadets and occasionally Cadets have to walk the boats down to the harbour which includes walking on the roads. The vest will give the Cadets extra added visibility for safety while also helping them stand out at community events they attend.
Chief Petty Officer Galloway, said: “I recently approached my Cadet Executive Officer Graham Hodgson at my workplace, Verdant Leisure Limited, as I knew he owned The Uniform & Leisurewear Company.
“It has been a difficult year to fundraise and rather than asking for a monetary help I opted to ask him for a donation of high-vis vests.
“The kind donation will allow us to use our money for other essential items that the unit needs to purchase. We are very thankful to Graham and his team for donating these to us and we look forward to doing a beach clean at Pease Bay Leisure Park, one of the parks owned by Verdant Leisure, very soon.”
Graham Hodgson added: “When I received the email I did not hesitate in helping Martin out. I know he dedicates a lot of time and energy in supporting the Sea Cadets in his voluntary capacity outside of his work. I am glad to have been of assistance to this worthwhile cause.”
