ACCT UK Excellence Awards 2025
Celebrating Excellence Across the Army Cadet Force
The annual ACCT UK Excellence Awards ceremony brings together cadets, adult volunteers and supporters from across the Army Cadet Force (ACF) to celebrate outstanding achievement, dedication and service.
For over a decade, these awards have recognised the exceptional contributions of cadets and volunteers whose commitment continues to shape and strengthen the ACF community. They highlight excellence across the wide range of non-military programmes delivered by ACCT المملكة المتحدة, including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, First Aid, Music, Sport and Community Service.
Each category reflects the breadth of opportunity available within the Army Cadets and the important life skills developed through participation, including resilience, teamwork, leadership, citizenship and a strong sense of service.
This year also marks a significant milestone: 70 years of the Army Cadets’ involvement in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, celebrating a long-standing legacy of youth development and achievement.
The success of these programmes would not be possible without the dedication of adult volunteers, the support of partners and the enthusiasm of cadets who continually go above and beyond in their communities. Together, they demonstrate the values and spirit that the awards exist to recognise.
The ACCT UK Excellence Awards stand as a celebration not only of individual achievement, but of the collective impact of everyone involved in delivering opportunity, inspiration and positive change across the country.
Our Awards Categories
The ACCT UK Excellence Awards recognise achievement across a range of programmes that help young people and adult volunteers develop skills, confidence and community spirit.
Excellence in Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
جائزة دوق أدنبرة equips young people with nationally recognised qualifications that employers truly value. It is especially fitting that the Army Cadet Force’s Colonel-in-Chief was the late Duke of Edinburgh himself.
The ACF is proud to have been one of the four founding organisations that took part in the original DofE Award trial nearly 70 years ago, helping His Royal Highness establish what has become one of the most respected youth awards in the world.
Cadet Winner: Cadet Sergeant Major Rubyann Held
Showing exceptional commitment and resilience, Cadet Sergeant Major Rubyann Held has completed all three levels of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, including completing her Gold expedition despite sustaining an injury on the first day.
As Scotland’s first Army Cadet to enrol on the DofE Young Leaders Course, she now leads DofE activity for her detachment and company, mentors a cohort of eight Young Leaders, and supports cadets and adult volunteers across the battalion both in person and online.
Alongside volunteering in a charity shop, progressing in kickboxing to national team selection, and achieving 4 Star and Military Skills representation, she is also planning fundraising initiatives to ensure cadets who cannot afford enrolment fees can still access DofE opportunities.
Rubyann is an outstanding role model and a driving force for opportunity across her battalion.
Adult Volunteer Winner: Major Evelyn Roberta Turkington MBE
الكتيبة 2 (أيرلندا الشمالية) ACF
Major Evelyn Roberta Turkington MBE is an exceptional leader whose four decades of voluntary service to both the Army Cadet Force and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award have transformed opportunities for hundreds of young people and adult volunteers.
Having served in senior appointments including Detachment Commander, Company Commander, Deputy Commandant, Area DofE Officer, Chair of the DofE Advisory Panel and Manager for the ACF Northern Ireland licence, she has driven the delivery of DofE and vocational qualifications with unwavering dedication.
She has led major initiatives including Gold Residentials at Ballykinler, overseen every Gold Award presentation in Northern Ireland and organised national Gold expeditions in the Mourne Mountains, helping more than 550 cadets and young adult volunteers achieve a DofE Award in the last decade.
Her continued commitment to expedition delivery, navigation training and mentoring has inspired a culture of service, resilience and ambition across Northern Ireland.
Excellence in First Aid
الإسعافات الأولية is a vital life skill, and our cadets and adult volunteers regularly put their training into action in the community, responding to emergencies and saving lives. Week after week, their training, readiness and courage make a real difference.
Each year, numerous ACF cadets and volunteers receive national recognition from organisations such as the Royal Humane Society in acknowledgement of their outstanding efforts.
Adult Volunteer Winner: WO2 Bronwyn Mauchline
Middlesex & North West London Sector ACF
WO2 Bronwyn Mauchline has transformed first aid training and capability within Middlesex & North West London Sector ACF since stepping into the long-vacant role of Sector/County First Aid Officer in 2023.
After rapidly qualifying as an instructor, she established a thriving training and competition programme while also becoming a highly skilled casualty simulation specialist whose realistic scenarios are now used at regional competitions and inter-service events.
Under her leadership, sector teams have achieved consecutive regional victories and represented the region nationally. Large numbers of adults and cadets have gained vital first aid qualifications, with several putting their skills to use in real-life emergencies.
WO2 Mauchline herself has demonstrated these skills by saving a colleague from choking, exemplifying the value of first aid training in action.
Excellence in Music
Learning an instrument can be costly, putting music out of reach for many young people. Through Army Cadet music, young people can experience the joy of performance while developing teamwork, discipline and confidence.
Our bands, corps of drums and pipe bands enrich communities across the UK and become cherished parts of local cultural life.
Cadet Winner: Cadet Colour Serjeant Theo Knight
Cadet Colour Serjeant Theo Knight has shown exceptional initiative and leadership by teaching himself the bugle and Bugle Major cane drill.
Progressing rapidly through his Music 3 Star and 4 Star awards, he has performed at the national Bugle Major Competition and become a driving force for music within his county.
Theo writes and delivers training for junior cadets, coordinates communication among musicians and consistently sets high standards of turnout and performance.
Representing both the Army Cadets and his local Royal British Legion branch at events including Armed Forces Day, remembrance activities and community occasions, he has demonstrated professionalism, maturity and dedication throughout.
Adult Volunteer Winner: WO2 Derek Corbett
WO2 Derek Corbett has devoted more than 40 years to the Durham ACF Band, using his musical talent to inspire generations of cadets while serving his community and honouring veterans.
He has represented the Army Cadets at national and international events, including commemorations in Arnhem and parades marking the Battle of Trafalgar. He has also welcomed Gold DofE participants at the Scotland–England border with his bagpipes.
A familiar presence at remembrance services and veterans’ funerals, Derek holds the record for the most performances at Gateshead Cenotaph and remains a respected mentor and role model.
Maj Corina Hart, Assistant Commandant Durham ACF, accepted the award on his behalf.
Excellence in Sport
الرياضة plays a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of young people, yet many lack opportunities to participate. The ACF introduces cadets to a wide range of sporting activities, encouraging healthy and active lifestyles that last a lifetime.
Watching our cadets compete and develop through sport is truly inspiring.
Cadet Winner: Cadet Corporal Elena Chelariu
Middlesex & North West London Sector ACF
Cadet Corporal Elena Chelariu is an outstanding sportswoman whose dedication, leadership and consistently high performance make her a worthy recipient of the ACCT UK Excellence in Sport Award.
In 2025, she was selected for the National Football Captains’ Choice Award and represented her sector at the Rivalry Cup, where she secured three gold medals at regional trials.
Alongside her sporting achievements, Elena actively encourages younger cadets and girls to become involved in sport, supporting less confident teammates and helping raise standards across the sector.
Adult Volunteer Winner: Staff Sergeant Bo Anderson
الكتيبة 1 (أيرلندا الشمالية) ACF
Staff Sergeant Bo Anderson has quickly become a leading figure in Army Cadet sport through her professionalism, dedication and passion for archery.
Since joining in 2022, she has attended every sports weekend, become B Company Sports Officer and led archery provision across both Northern Ireland battalions.
In 2025, she selected and coached Northern Ireland’s first national archery teams, leading them to runners-up and third-place finishes at their debut championships.
Through coaching, equipment maintenance, mentoring instructors and supporting national rugby and football events, she has created high-quality opportunities for cadets to succeed and thrive.
Excellence in Community Service
Community service lies at the heart of the ACF ethos. This award celebrates the positive impact cadets and adult volunteers make in their communities through service, leadership and civic engagement.
It shines a spotlight on the values fostered through ACF programmes and the difference our young people and volunteers make every day.
These awards are generously supported by الذخيرة وشركاه.
Cadet Winner: Cadet Cameron Mills
Cadet Cameron Mills has transformed personal challenges into a force for good through the creation of Reboot, a project that collects, restores and redistributes unwanted football boots to children and young people who otherwise could not afford them.
His volunteering with Bristol Rovers Community Trust has seen him support disability football sessions and diversion programmes for young people at risk, helping design and deliver coaching activities.
Through sustained volunteering, leadership and innovation, Cameron has made a remarkable contribution to his community while balancing education and Army Cadet commitments.
Cadet Winner: Cadet Deaken-James Towle
Cadet Deaken-James Towle has shown extraordinary commitment to tackling homelessness through his work with Shildon Alive.
By writing to local leaders, speaking at council meetings and building partnerships with businesses, care homes and wellbeing groups, he has secured additional funding and support to expand practical care package provision for vulnerable people.
His efforts have strengthened community partnerships, increased donations and inspired other young people to become involved in volunteering.
As Deaken-James said:
“I hope more people realise it doesn’t matter how old you are; if you want to help the homeless, you can.”
Adult Volunteer Winner: Captain Vicki Brooks
Captain Vicki Brooks has demonstrated exceptional leadership through the growth of the Eyes On Hands On volunteering project.
The initiative gives cadets meaningful opportunities to care for war graves while learning about local history and service. Through determined advocacy, she successfully helped persuade the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to change national policy, allowing under-18s to participate under trained supervision.
She has since coordinated teams across South Yorkshire, Doncaster, Hull, Thorne and Rotherham, creating a sustainable programme that benefits cadets, volunteers and communities while ensuring the memory of the fallen is preserved.
تحدي الطلاب العسكريين
Fundraising is much like a military operation — it takes planning, logistics and flawless execution. Success requires determination, commitment and resilience, particularly when challenges arise along the way.
إن تحدي الطلاب العسكريين recognises those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication in raising funds for ACCT UK. Their efforts not only provide vital support for grants and opportunities but also help raise awareness of the charity and the important work it delivers.
These awards are only made possible through the continued support of هوريبا-ميرا.
Cadet Winner: Cadet Under Officer Ewan Diyar
ليسترشاير، ونورثهامبتونشاير وروتلاند ACF
Cadet Under Officer Ewan Diyar chose to run his first 10km race for ACCT UK in October 2025.
Reflecting on his motivation, he said:
“Without ACCT UK, cadets like myself would never have the chance to access such amazing experiences, and so I felt it was only right to give back to the organisation so future cadets can also enjoy these opportunities.”
Ewan completed the run in an impressive one hour and eight minutes, raising more than £800 and crossing the finish line with a special “eyes right” to fellow cadets cheering him on.
His dedication, organisation and determination perfectly embodied the values of the Army Cadet Force and made him an inspiration to fellow cadets.
His mother accepted his award on his behalf.
Adult Volunteer Winner: Lieutenant Gina Atkinson
Army veteran and adult volunteer Lieutenant Gina Atkinson has consistently supported ACCT UK through a series of extraordinary fundraising challenges.
In 2025, she walked 100 miles every week, including a journey to the foot of Mount Everest, raising £2,000 for Cadet Challenge 2025.
Speaking about her motivation, she said:
“ACCT UK and the Army Cadets matter to me because they give young people resilience, purpose and belief in themselves. If my journey and the funds I raise help them realise that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things, then every step was worth it.”
Group Winner: Elgin Detachment
1st Battalion The Highlanders ACF
Every cadet and adult volunteer at Elgin Detachment went above and beyond in 2025, demonstrating an exceptional commitment to fundraising on behalf of ACCT UK.
Their collective efforts have been an inspiration, helping to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity.
Special recognition goes to Cadet Mollie Robinson, aged 13, who raised £426.25 through the challenge of completing a bridge swing, showing remarkable courage and commitment to the cause.