Talented teenagers are honoured (From Ilkley Gazette)

Talented teenagers are honoured

9:19am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News

Two talented teenagers – including one from Yeadon – have been awarded the prestigious appointment of Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet.

The cadets were among only 12 – selected from 5,400 across the whole Yorkshire and Humber region – to be awarded the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate, the highest honour in the movement.

Certificates were presented to 17-year-old Staff Sergeant Jake Dowdeswell, of Yeadon, and Petty Officer Peter Wood, 16, of Buttershaw, by Dr Ingrid Roscoe, the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, at the headquarters of the Air Training Corps Wing in Castleford last week.

A member of the Army Cadet Force since the age of 12, Staff Sgt Dowdeswell is now a Senior Cadet Instr-uctor Cadre, recently taking part in an exchange to Canada on a leadership course.

He has represented the ACF at county, regional and national levels in a number of sporting activities and is currently working towards his silver Duke Of Edinburgh award.

He said: “I enjoy my life in the cadets enormously, and have had experiences and opportunities that very few of my age have. I feel very proud to represent the Army Cadet Force as the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet.”

Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Bleasdale, deputy chief executive of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “The Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate is a prestigious award that recognises cadets who have performed above expectations. I’m delighted for these cadets, who are shining examples of what can be achieved when young people involve themselves in extra-curricular activities.”