The Army Cadet Force Association is one of just two charities supported by The Ice Maidens' during their gruelling 1,700km trek across Antarctica.
The Ice Maidens are the first all-female team to complete this extraordinary challenge. Their aim was to inspire girls and women to seek out and embrace challenges and achieve goals they never thought possible, while promoting female leadership, teamwork and an active lifestyle – a goal the ACF also shares.
The Army Cadet Force started enrolling girls in the mid-1980s and now they make up 33 per cent of Army Cadets – taking part in tough challenges and activities alongside their male peers.
The Army Cadets encourages nearly 39,000 young people (girls and boys) from a range of backgrounds to learn more, do more and test their limits, in part by taking on new physical and mental challenges. Young people who join the cadets participate in a range of activities from adventurous training (such as kayaking, mountain biking and abseiling) to military-themed activities, first aid, music and sports. In addition, they can gain valuable vocational qualifications and develop important life skills.
The physical and mental challenges cadets undertake have a number of positive benefits – helping to build character, self-discipline and resilience, improving the cadets’ physical fitness and increasing their confidence.
Icy Challenge
The Ice Maidens team comprised: Maj Nicola Wetherill and Maj Natalie Taylor from the Royal Army Medical Corps, Maj Sandy Hennis (Royal Signals), Lt Jenni Stephenson and Capt Zanna Baker from the Royal Artillery and Lsgt Sophie Montagne from the Honourable Artillery Company.
