Last weekend Cadet Warrant Officer David Folder was awarded with the Best Cadet in Wales and West of England. This means that he is in the top seven male Air Cadets within the organisation.

David, who has been a member of 1284 (Tenby) Sqn, Air Training Corps (ATC), for seven years, was delighted to be awarded his certificate at RAF Cranwell, the home of the RAF’s college where all officers are trained and taught to become the leaders of tomorrow.

“I have loved every moment of my time in the ATC, and I am looking forward to my future with it,” he said. “Being awarded the Best Cadet in my region, Wales and West, has really topped it all off for me. I was presented with the award by Group Captain Dacre, whose family set up the award in 1979. Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant Air Cadets, was also handing out awards and had a meet and greet. She kindly posed for a selfie.”

David dined in one of the officers’ messes for both dinner and lunch, an honour, as normally only officers and highly respected guests are permitted to dine in these.

“Cadets have done so much for me, and now I am actively giving back,” added David, who is organising a fundraising bingo and raffle in the Carew Memorial Hall on Friday, April 29. “It should be a good fundraiser; everyone is welcome to join in! Doors open at 7 pm, eyes down for 7.30 pm.”

The money raised will go towards buying much-needed equipment, and to subsidise cadet camps.

“Everyone has given me so much support in terms of prizes,” said David. “Our top prizes are a flying lesson with Fly Wales, Oakwood tickets and many other great prizes.”

For more information about the bingo, contact David on 01646 651635 or FS ATC Victoria Thomas on [email protected]

The ATC holds the award ceremony annually for the best male and female cadets. This year the awards for best male and female cadets went to CWO Black and CWO Flower, respectively. David was also awarded the Ray Kidd Bursary, giving him £50 towards his International Air Cadet Exchange to Canada this year.