AIR cadets are flying high after scooping Jack Petchey achievement awards. Four cadets from the 1147 Squadron in Barking, and four from the 2048 Squadron in Dagenham, were presented with Jack Petchey Achievement Awards at a presentation evening. The youn

AIR cadets are flying high after scooping Jack Petchey achievement awards.

Four cadets from the 1147 Squadron in Barking, and four from the 2048 Squadron in Dagenham, were presented with Jack Petchey Achievement Awards at a presentation evening.

The young award winners were joined by their parents, friends and leaders, 17 of who were also presented with Jack Petchey leader awards.

The evening was attended by Wing Cmdr Sylvia Silver, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch), OC London Wing.

She said: "All of our young cadets are gaining valuable skills and experiences which will benefit them greatly throughout their lives.

"It is great that the Jack Petchey Foundation recognises the achievements of the young air cadets and this was a terrific event to celebrate those achievements."

All of the achievement award winners received a medallion to go with their framed certificate, and a cheque for �300 for their school.

Cadets Joshua Dowding, Sam Grant, Jordan Martin, and Cpl Sarah Daisley, of the 1147 Barking squadron, also scooped achievement award s but did not attend the ceremony.

The event brought together squadrons from across London and Essex with more than 160 award winners in total.

The Jack Petchey Foundation, based in Ilford, aims to help develop the potential in young people aged 11 to 25 in London and Essex.

Since it was established in 1999, grants totalling some �50million have been awarded to a wide range of schools, clubs and organisations.