During Volunteers' Week (1-7 June 2015) we set out to identify some of the people worthy of the title "Volunteer Hero"
Volunteering with the Army Cadet Force can be extremely rewarding, and provides a great opportunity to learn new skills and make new friends. However for many of our volunteers, it is the desire to help others which motivates them to dedicate their time to helping the growth and development of young people.
For Volunteers' Week 2015 we launched a competition to find some of the ACF's best volunteer heroes. We asked people to tell us about exceptional Army Cadet Force volunteers who have done something special to help them, the ACF or the wider community.
Who are the ACF's Volunteer Heroes?
We received some wonderful, inspirational stories but finally decided on three winners. Our winners, in no particular order, are:
Major Stephen Marren, Officer Commanding in D Company, Yorkshire North and West ACF (YACF).
Stephen was nominated by Beverly Craig who told us about his long-term service (over 40 years) and his determination to succeed despite being born with Spina Bifida. Beverly says: "Over the years Stephen's achievements and personal goals have included Climbing, Abseiling, Shooting, dropping down zip wires, going out in the field on FTX, etc. He has climbed Pen-y-Ghent and abseiled down the other side of it onto a 50 metre scree fall! His determination to prove he was as capable as any other able bodied person within the ACF has been a testament to his character and why so many cadets and instructors in YACF think so highly of him."
AUO Alun Richards of Cardigan detachment, G Company, Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF
Alun was nominated by Angelina Richards who says: "Since starting in Cardigan in January 2013 he has done an amazing job within G Coy. He works hard as a detachment commander and has managed to bring the detachment forward in many ways, starting out with only 7 cadets he now runs a full-on detachment of 30 cadets and 8 staff ... AUO Alun Richards is a hard working, dedicated instructor who I think is one of G Company's heroes and I'm sure most of them would agree."
Sgt Mark Rodger of 14 Troop Musselburgh, Kohima Company Lothian and Borders Battalion
Mark was nominated by a number of people including Kyle Calder and Leon Clark. Leon comment that Mark has: "Done so much to turn our detachment around since he took over. Made me start enjoying cadets again."
If you’re inspired by the #ACFVolunteerHero stories, and want to become a valued member of the team and wider community, find out more about how to become an Army Cadet Force volunteer yourself.
