A total of 34 cadets from Ark Alexandra Academy, joined by staff and former cadets, took part in the annual Combat Stress: March in March Challenge on 28 March, delivering an exceptional display of resilience, teamwork, and community spirit.
This year’s event followed several weeks of wet weather, but participants were met with cool and dry conditions, ideal for the demanding circular route around Bewl Water.
After the traditional pre-march group photograph, cadets set off promptly at 9:00am. The route had been carefully planned to include scheduled breaks, time for blister care, and a lunch stop, with the goal of completing the challenge by mid-afternoon.
Maintaining an impressive pace of approximately 20-minute miles, cadets adapted to the more challenging hill sections while continuing to support one another throughout the day. Their determination, teamwork, and high morale were evident from start to finish.
Proudly wearing their Combat Stress t-shirts, each cadet raised a minimum of £40, with many exceeding this target. Their collective fundraising efforts were remarkable, raising over £9,000, rising to nearly £11,000 with Gift Aid, all in support of veterans’ mental health.
Building on last year’s success, when the unit was recognised as Cadet Unit of the Year for fundraising, this year’s achievement once again places them as the top fundraising youth/ cadet organisation in the challenge.
This outstanding accomplishment reflects the dedication, resilience, and professionalism of every cadet involved, and stands as a powerful example of young people making a meaningful difference in their community.
