PRESS RELEASE 

GLASGOW AIR CADETS MARCH TO VICTORY

A TEAM of 12 air cadets from Glasgow & West Scotland Wing Air Training Corps took part in this years Nijmegen Marches in Holland from the 12^th – 19^th July. The cadets, aged from 16 to 20 years of age, came from 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron based in Hillington, 1740 (Clydebank), 122 (Maryhill) and 2166 (Hamilton) Squadrons. 

The Nijmegen International Four Days Marches are held annually in Nijmegen in the Netherlands, some 12 kms south of Arnhem close to the Dutch-German border, with approximately 40,000 participants from all over the world taking part. The Marches coincide with the Annual Summer Festival in Nijmegen held during the third week in July. 

The Team marched 40 Km (25 miles approx.) each day, through extremely high temperatures and humidity. Approximately 11 hours are allowed to complete each day's march and marching starts at about 0430 hours daily.                                                                   

Cadet Chris Kilmartin (17) of 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron, completing his third consecutive year in the marches, said “The atmosphere and organisation is something to be experienced to be believed, amazing!”

Flight Lieutenant Pat Colvin (54) completed his tenth year at the marches and will retire from his post as Team Commander of the Glasgow & West Scotland team at the end of the year.

Teamwork and training play a huge part in the success of each cadet who completes the event and months of arduous training are necessary for successful participation. Training began at the start of the year with many weekends of walking, fitness and first aid training and ended with the Scottish 2-day marches as the qualifier for the event.

In addition to this, the cadets had to raise the money required for their kit and travel to Holland. This was achieved with weekends spent hard at work, bag packing in supermarkets, though I’m sure they’ll agree it was well worth it!           

Full Team List

Flt Lt Colvin, 54, (Wing Staff), 10 times
Flg Off Anderson, (2175 Rolls-Royce), Second Time
CWO Chris Kirkwood, 20, (122 Maryhill), 5 Times
CWO Anton Bainbridge, 20, (1740 Clydebank), Second Time
Sgt Jen Mather, 19, (122 Maryhill), First Time
Sgt Patrick McBride, 17, (122 Maryhill), First Time
Cpl Niall Morrison, 18, (2175 Rolls-Royce), Third Time
Cpl Nicola Kirkwood, 17, (122 Maryhill), First Time
Cpl Andrew Gupwell, 16, (2166 Hamilton), First Time
Cdt Elizabeth Brad, 16, (2175 Rolls-Royce), First Time
Cdt Chris Kilmartin, 17, (2175 Rolls-Royce), Second Time
Cdt Gary Miller, 16, (2166 Hamilton), First Time  

Photographs accompanying this release will appear here soon.

For further information contact:

Squadron PR Officer CI Callan

ENDS