Last Sunday saw the formal handover of first aid equipment to the Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Force (ACF) at the county Training Centre in Besford, Worcestershire. This was a joint initiative between the Freemasons of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, who funded the equipment through a grant to the Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Force Charitable Trust. The equipment will ensure all cadets have access to realistic, high-quality, and hands-on first aid training resources.
The equipment consists of resuscitation dolls/CPR manikins and anti-choking training aid vests, that will improve the realism and quality of First Aid training. The manikins will be distributed to detachments across Herefordshire and Worcestershire ensuring every cadet has access to practical CPR training. The choking vests will be held centrally for use during collective training events and instructor courses. There are around seven hundred cadets across Herefordshire and Worcestershire supported by around one hundred and thirty adult volunteers, who can all take advantage of the new equipment.
First aid is a lifelong skill with real world relevance. Cadets can progress on to First Aid at Work qualifications. The importance of this training was demonstrated last year when a cadet received an award for providing life-saving assistance at a road traffic accident.
The handover event was attended by the Heads of Freemasonry in Herefordshire, Michael Holland, and Worcestershire, Stephen Wyer, accompanied by their Deputies. They were greeted by the Chair of Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Charitable Trust, Col (retd) D Head MC, and Lieutenant Colonel Gary Newbrook, the Deputy Commandant of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Army Cadets.
Following a demonstration of the equipment by the cadets and adult volunteers, the formal presentation took place where Col Head spoke about the useful skills learned in the cadets that can be transferred to everyday lives and help the community at large.
Col Head said:
“Your generosity is deeply valued. Your support strengthens a local youth organisation rooted in service, discipline and community. Most importantly it helps young people access experiences that can shape their confidence, character and future opportunity.”
The Head of Freemasonry in Herefordshire commented:
“We are delighted, in conjunction with the Freemasons of Worcestershire, to provide training aids that will help the ACF Cadets gain knowledge and hands-on experience, which will enable them to build confidence and develop transferable skills that can be applied in future employment opportunities, everyday life and service within the community.”
The formal presentation of the equipment is the culmination of the aligned vision of Freemasonry, the ACF Trust, and the Army Cadet Force, and is one of the highlights of the celebration of Armed Forces Week in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
