The Club are delighted to announce 44F City of Bradford Squadron as it's fourth charity partner.
In Summer 2018, the Club announced a new and exciting opportunity for all local charities that would give them the chance to work alongside Bradford City and host a bucket collection at one of the five selected fixtures throughout the 2018/19 season.
Every penny raised at the bucket collection will go to the charity, to help them fund the amazing work they do.
Voting for the fourth fixture has closed and the Club are delighted to announce that 44F City of Bradford Squadron received the most votes and will be hosting a bucket collection on Saturday February 9.
44F City of Bradford Squadron is one of the earliest units to be formed in the organisation hence the letter ‘F’, indicating one of the first 50 Squadrons to be founded, and they will be celebrating their 80th Anniversary next year.
A part of the cadet experience is to work through the training regime.
The regime is broken up into stages which gives cadets the opportunity to take part in unique activities, specialist technical training and rank promotion. The main activities include:
- Duke of Edinburgh award
- First Aid Training Marksmanship UK,
- Annual, overseas and band camps
- Participation in drills;
- Foot drill - quick and slow time
- Banner drill
- Ceremonial parades
- Band drill
- Flying and gliding
As well as giving young people the opportunity to take part in training sessions and gain awards, one of their aims is to; promote and encourage a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force among young people.
Many cadets go on to great success in the RAF (and the other Services). Around 40% of officers and 50% of all aircrew (including pilots, navigators and engineers) in the RAF now are ex-cadets.
Many think that the Air Cadets are heavily funded and supported, but this isn’t the case. The money spent on uniforms and flying etc, is all funded publicly by the RAF. 44F has to provide 90% of the required funding which is raised primarily through fundraising efforts and charity events.
Fund-raising is a huge part of life as a cadet and is used as the primary source of funding for 44F.
For the past two years, 44F have been actively raising funds to purchase an SOV (squadron owned vehicle). This would be a huge benefit for the squadron as it enabled the cadets to travel to many, many more activities.
The bucket collection would provide an excellent opportunity to reach the target funds for the SOV.
Steve Dunn, Officer Commanding at 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron, said: "This means a great deal to the Staff and the Cadets of 44F City of Bradford Squadron we already feel gratified.
"Firstly by getting on the short list to become one of the clubs charity partners and secondly to win the vote to get the opportunity to hold a matchday bucket collection.
"As a unit we look for opportunities to get involved in our communities so the public see the cadets deportment and demeaner close up, showing a positive view of young people and we get to help current and future cadets at the unit by raising funds for our projects.
"The funds raised will go towards a mini bus, allowing the cadets more access to opportunities outside the City increasing their confidence and qualifications.
"It will also assist staff in gaining training and qualification to deliver more activities to the cadets at the squadron for many years to come.
"We would like to say a big, big thank you to all our voters. We are delighted to host the bucket collection and will not let the votes go to waste.
"We send our best wishes to all the other deserving charities that were short listed with us and commend them for the work they do in their field."
Charity number: 2051/86
Website: Click here.
Twitter: @44fbradford
Facebook: @44fbradford
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Voting for the final charity partnership fixture will take place in the next couple of weeks!