Project Bravo - Runcorn Sea Cadets Boating

We're raising funds to purchase equipment needed to deliver paddle sport training sessions to young people in Runcorn. We have already raised a substantial amount of money towards the purchase of Kayaks and equipment, but still need to raise more for the purchase of a trailer, radios, first aid equipment and the transformation of a storage container to keep the new equipment secure when not in use and throughout the winter.

About Us:

Runcorn Sea Cadets was founded circa 1925 and has had a strong presence in the local community since. During the units existence, it has had success at a District, Area and National level and was once a strong unit in various disciplines. 

In 2018 the unit, after a couple of years of decline, faced closure. A lack of adult volunteers on both the uniformed and charity trustee side meant that being able to deliver a safe, governed Sea Cadet Experience was difficult. 

2019/2020 seen the rebuilding of foundations within the unit. A new OiC (Officer in Charge) was put in place who recruited a good team of uniformed staff around him. A brand new unit management team was formed and after training and induction, formally took the reins of the unit. Whilst we're driving forward, we're proud of the history of TS Ashanti and all who have been through her doors.

      Historic Stormin Norman has been redeveloped and is once again our logo.

Our Young People:

 Our young people belong to Generation Z. A generation of young people who are tech savvy and willing to learn. It is our job as an organisation to try to instil a series of core values into these young adults; Courage, Respect, Loyalty, Self Discipline, Commitment, Honesty and Integrity. Having these values will help our young to become better adults. 

There are very little opportunities like this for teenagers locally, and even fewer that will be financially accessible for all. We pride ourselves as a unit and an organisation on being fully inclusive.

The last 12 months have been tough on the whole of community. COVID has changed our whole way of life and the way we interact as a society. The children and teenagers have spent the best part of a year locked in bedrooms and glued to digital screens - lets give them a reason and a motivation to get out of the house.

Benefits to Boating:

Many cadets start their first waterborne session with us weary, nervous and perhaps a little scared. Others are eager and excited. Either way, before they take the first plunge into the water they all do the same thing - stop and pause, breath, then decide. These cadets are building the courage to do something that they won’t enjoy, until they realise they do. 

Every part of Sea Cadet boating helps build on the cadets’ core values mentioned above. From having the discipline to scrub the boats instead of getting dry and changed, to maintaining the equipment and learning respect for possessions. 

All Sea Cadet Boating is now externally accredited. We deliver British Canoeing, British Rowing, Royal Yacht Association and others. These give our cadets formal, widely accepted qualifications that they can not only be proud of, but take into the world of higher education and employment.

From a recent report, 95% of ex Sea Cadets said Sea Cadets had a positive long-term impact on their life!

What do we need?

We have already had a grant approved for over £6500 to cover 66% of the costs of the paddle sport equipment however - we still need (approximates):

- £3000 towards kayaks and equipment (paddles, helmets, safety lines)

- £1500 towards a trailer to ensure we can paddle anywhere!

- £300 for repairs and equipment to fit out a storage container.

- £200 for waterproof radios and a marine VHF.

Any surplus funds will pay towards running costs and future maintenance, reducing the burden on volunteers to fundraise or parents to donate through subscriptions each week.

What will your donation cover?

- £2 will cover a single session cost for one cadet.

- £20 will cover the running costs for a weekends training for one cadet.

- £50 will purchase a replacement paddle.

- £100 will be almost a quarter of the way to a new kayak.

Rewards!

By donating through crowd funder, you can choose to receive a reward. This is a perfect way to receive something for your generosity or for a business to show the public that they are behind us! You can see the rewards on this page.

At the time of starting, we have a great sponsorship opportunity and also some small rewards that have been handcrafted by our cadets. Note - it may take us a while to get these rewards out to you with the current pandemic.

For those who choose to sponsor a kayak - we will put an A4 vinyl sticker of your name or company logo on one of the kayaks and it will stay there for the life of the kayak or the sticker - whichever comes first!

Call to Action - How can you help?

1 - Share this page via the web address onto your social media and around your work networks

2 - Donate financially, you can donate as little or as much as you can afford. Leave us a message with your name, or donate anonymously. You can also choose a reward for your donation!

3 - Donate an item or a service that we can list as a reward, a gardener could offer a free grass cut or a bakery could offer some cakes.