Huge congratulations to Cadet Warrant Officer Ben Hudson on his joint win of the Dacre Sword, presented to the best male cadet in the Air Training Corps!
Cadets where nominated early in the process by their Squadrons and Wings, and progressed through rounds of interviews to make it into the finals. The winners of the RAF Air Cadets’ prestigious annual awards competition have now been chosen following an exciting ‘virtual’ Dragons’ Den interview process.
Cadets where nominated early in the process by their Squadrons and Wings, and progressed through rounds of interviews to make it into the finals. The winners of the RAF Air Cadets’ prestigious annual awards competition have now been chosen following an exciting ‘virtual’ Dragons’ Den interview process.
The COVID-19 lockdown did not halt proceedings as electronic links made the traditional Dragons’ Den system work seamlessly.
216 (Redditch) Squadrons senior Cadet, CWO Ben Hudson was successful in winning the Dacre Sword as best male cadet in the Air Training Corps.
The award, which he jointly won with Cadet Warrant Officer Ivar Morganti 1159 (Edmonton) Squadron, London & South East Region will be presented later in the year.
The Dragons’ Den style interviews are always the final part of the selection process which is usually held at College Hall, RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
The winners are the best of the 32,000 ATC cadets and 8,000 CCF (RAF) cadets from across the UK and overseas.
Nominees from each ATC region and from the CCF (RAF)’s schools were put under intense questioning by a panel of judges comprising Commandant RAF Air Cadets, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty; Group Capt Baz Dale and Wing Commander Martin Larwood-Hughes.
“As always, the competition to find our very best cadets has been a closely run race. Each and every candidate was worthy of being awarded a sword and they should be extremely proud to have made it to the finals. The candidates for these national awards are simply outstanding – an inspiration to other cadets, our staff and volunteers and an absolute credit to the Organisation, the parent Service and to the UK.
These top cadets have taken every opportunity the RAF Air Cadets has to offer including gliding and flying, target shooting, camps, international exchanges, adventurous training, cyber and STEM, sport, music, drill, charity work and volunteering and so much more.
Perhaps more importantly, they all give so much back to the RAF Air Cadets, mentoring and instructing younger cadets and supporting our hard-working adult volunteers. They are the best of British youth and I could not be prouder of them all.”
Commandant RAF Air Cadets, Air Commodore McCafferty
The formal presentation of the swords will take place after lockdown.