PRESS RELEASE 

MACPHERSON AWARDS EVENING 2004 

LOCAL air cadets from 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron based in Hillington, Renfrewshire held their annual “MacPherson Awards” ceremony at Our Lady & St George’s Chapel Hall on the 19^th of December 2004. The awards are given to the most deserving cadets who have demonstrated their abilities throughout the past year. The evening is the highlight of the calendar for the cadets who are rewarded for their dedication, skills and achievements in areas such as sports, drill, leadership and training. 

This year’s ceremony was especially important as it was the first without Mr Campbell McPherson, who donated the awards, and the inspiration for the awards, Flt Lt Bill McConnell RAF VR(T). Sadly, these two great men passed away this year, however, their spirit will live on in the squadron through these awards and the cadets who will receive them each year. 

Flt Lt McConnell was also awarded the McConnell trophy on the night, which was collected by his family, for his dedication to and many successes at the squadron. The McConnell Trophy was donated to the squadron by Flt Lt McConnell for those who had served the squadron with the utmost dedication and brought great pride and success to themselves and the squadron. Flt Lt McConnell was the Commanding Officer at one of the squadrons most successful times, due entirely to his personality and leadership. He was responsible for building the squadrons’ new premises, our rifle range and a museum to commemorate the achievements of the 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron RAuxAF (Royal Auxiliary Air Force). 

The event was attended by Mrs Ann McConnell and Brian McConnell, Mr Ian McDonald, representing Rolls-Royce, Wing Commander McIver (Retired), and Mr Peter Sherard from the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, as well as Mr Brian Hastie from Lourdes Secondary School and the cadets’ parents and families. 

The evening was hosted by Flight Lieutenant Graham Short who said, “I would like to thank the cadets of 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron for their hard work and achievements over the past year. They are a credit to themselves, their parents and the squadron, showing a fine example to the young people of this area of what they can achieve in life.” 

The most coveted trophy among the cadets is the “Cadet of the Year” Trophy, which this year was awarded to Cpl Hussain Kayani, who also won the Senior Training Trophy and the JNCO (Junior Non Commissioned Officer) Cup. Hussain has been a cadet with the squadron for over 3 years, achieving a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a Level 3 Gliding Induction Course and passes with credit in all his exams during his time as an air cadet. He is currently training for Staff Cadet and his Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He achieved 8 Standard Grades at Grade 1 this year and is now studying for his Highers. He hopes to serve in the RAF as a doctor. 

This year held double success for the Kayani family with Hussain’s brother, Zain winning the “Recruit of the Year” trophy. 

The squadron is now looking forward to another very successful year in 2005. 

The trophy winners are as follows: 

Cadet of the Year       Cpl Hussain Kayani 

Cadet of the Year Runner up           Sgt Chris McMillan 

Junior Cadet of the Year        Cpl Neil Finnie 

Recruit of the Year       Cdt Zain Kayani 

JNCO Cup   Cpl Hussain Kayani 

Drill Efficiency      Cdt Dominic Hastie 

Bank of Scotland Quaich for Outstanding Achievement        CWO Bobby Hastie 

Paula Hastie Sports Trophy    Sgt Suzi Vines

Attendance Trophy       Cpl Neil Finnie 

First Class Training Trophy        Cdt Sarah Farmer

Leading Training Trophy        Cdt Dominic Hastie 

Senior Training Trophy Cpl Hussain Kayani 

Staff Training Trophy    Sgt Chris McMillan

Contact Details

For further information, please contact Plt Off Suzanne Callan, Squadron PR Officer.

ENDS