Beverley Lions Kick Start Air Cadets Mini Bus Fund

Local charity the Beverley Lions have generously contributed £1000 to help kick start Beverley’s 399 Air Training Corps save up for a much needed mini bus.

399 (Beverley) Squadron Air Cadets are keen to become more involved with Beverley Lions and have recently worked with the Lions assisting them with very successful bucket collections at the Lions run Beverley Westwood 2014 Bonfire and Firework display. 399 and the Lions are now looking at future events where they can work together including car boot sales, coffee mornings to name a few.

Beverly Lions President Geoff Rawson, Past President Bill Rice and Vice President Peter Frankland were invited to 399 ATC Headquarters up at Longcroft Lower School to learn more about the Air Cadets.

The evening started with an introduction to the ATC Civilian Committee including Deborah Meakin (Chair) Julie Musgrave (Treasurer) Tracy Westwood (Secretary) social and fundraising leads Angela Perez and Neil Brown who helped coordinate the two groups working together. Neil Brown attended a recent Lions meeting with fellow civilian committee member Tony Westwood to learn more about the Beverley Lions and how the two groups could work together.

Currently the Air Cadets rely on either willing parents for transport to events which can include Flying at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Sports Events in Hull, Duke of Edinburgh camps in North Yorkshire, Shooting at various venues and inter wing competitions and events in various counties.

This can mean multiple trips by several parents or the private hire of a coach or minibus which can easily cost into the hundreds of pounds for each event adding to the total cost.

The Civilian Committee work hard to generate funds by arranging fund raising events, bag packs and recently carol singing at Tesco’s in St Stephens in Hull.

Bill Rice previous Lions president and local well known character around Beverley said;

“The Beverley Lions are very pleased to be supporting Beverley 399 Air Cadets as part of the community helping young people learn new skills, gain confidence and achieve their full potential.”

Anyone wishing to join Beverley Lions is welcome to do so by contacting Bill Rice on phone number 01482 869937.

399 Air Training Corps meet on Monday & Thursday evenings at Longcroft Lower School, arriving at around 18:45hrs, for first parade at 19:00hrs, if you are interested in joining please contact the squadron.

Phone: 01482 880301 on Monday or Thursday night or email adj.399@aircadets.org

The next recruitment intake is around the beginning of March 2015. Anyone is welcome to join who is aged between 12 and 18 years and lives in the area in and around Beverley. The ATC is fully supportive of equal opportunities.

People with disabilities are welcome to join in the fun too. The ATC develops personal qualities and a sense of community and citizenship valued by employers, both military and civil.