494 Sqn has been granted £6,000 by the Local Network Fund via the Department for Education and Skills to develop opportunities for young people in and around the Stansted Airport area. There is a definite lack of provision for youth inclusion within the local area and this grant will be used to actively engage young people to find an interest in aviation, the military, leadership and the principles of good citizenship.

Grant money will be used to raise Squadron awareness in the local community, identify potential cadets and staff and to enable young people to take part in a number of activity weekends consisting of adventurous and team building activities. The training process will use both existing cadets and staff and will actively engage young people in the area, acting as a recruiting platform for the Squadron for years to come.

Squadron OC Flight Lieutenant Rob Hall commented, ‘... this is excellent news for the local community and this funding will enable the Squadron to offer a wider range of activities to the young people in the Stansted area.’

The Local Network Fund is a programme of the Department for Education and Skills, administered by Essex Community Foundation. Voluntary and community groups can apply to the Local Network Fund for a grant of up to £7,000. The object of the Fund is to enable communities to develop projects and activities for children and young people with limited opportunities or access to services that many young people take for granted supporting the 5 outcomes of Every Child Matters. Applications from groups involving young people in the planning and organising of projects are particularly welcome and priority will be given to volunteer led groups.

Application packs are available on 0845 113 0161, or for more information and details of the criteria, please contact Jill Curd at Essex Community Foundation on 01245 356018. The next deadline for receipt of applications is 26th February 2007. (There will be a further 5 deadlines from April 10th until 8th October when the Fund draws to its closure).


For more information please contact:

Flight Lieutenant Rob Hall
Tel: 01279 681 559
Email: Link
Web: www.stanstedaircadets.org.uk

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