Somerset Army Cadets help the Hospice

St Margaret's Somerset Hospice received a welcome boost to their funds on Monday last, when cadets from the Award Winning Somerset Army Cadet Force visited the Taunton Hospice to present a cheque for £2,500 to Mrs Ros Beattie, who, with her husband, organises the annual thirty-four mile St Margaret's Charity Walk, which takes place from Taunton to Yeovil - or from Yeovil to Taunton, depending on where you start from!

Before the Presentation itself, the cadets were welcomed by Major General Barry Lane, Vice-President of St Margarets' who explained to the cadets the valuable work done by the Hospice, and how their donation each year went towards the purchase of specialist equipment and other items.

Following the presentation, the cadets and their leaders were shown around the Hospice, including the newly completed extension - and had great fun trying out the newly installed beds and other facilities.

The cadets were amazed by the wide range of very high-tec equipment that was available for the care of those using the hospice.

The Cadets raise the money for St Margaret's each year, by obtaining sponsorship for their annual visit to the Nijmegen Marches in Holland each July. Somerset Army Cadet Force has been voted Best Overall Cadet team on each of the previous five years, and they use the Charity Walk as one of their training sessions.

To qualify for an entry to Nijmegen, the Cadet Force not only has to train hard for six months, but also has to take part in a fifty mile qualifying event in April of each year, at RAF Cosford in Shropshire. Needless to say, the Somerset boys and girls have won that event as well for the past few years!

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Richardson, who is in overall charge of the marching teams, explained that they always try and enter two teams for both the Cosford and Nijmegen events, and never fail to fill the spaces. Some cadets expect to be awarded their third or fourth "bar" to their medal this year, such is the keenness shown.

St Margaret's is the chosen charity for the Army Cadet Force in Somerset, and they all take great pride in being able to help.