I attended a Sea Cadet meeting tonight- well, actually I gatecrashed it! I was at the Liverpool Marina Yacht Club with a friend who is on the committee. I was quite content to sit in the bar with my glass of Pinot Grigio until my friend had finished at the meeting, however the group made me feel extremely welcome and invited me to sit in on the meeting.

I have to say, I was extremely impressed! Firstly, I was overwhelmed not only with the generosity of the community that contribute to the organization. Secondly, I was really surprised at how well the organization operates with soooo LITTLE money. £881 in one year goes a VERY long way in supporting of children to become decent citizens. Thirdly, it soon became apparent that the Sea Cadets (unlike the Army or Air Cadets) receive no funding from their government counterparts. They are TOTALLY self funded! Mostly relying on volunteers giving their time freely or fundraising from private individuals.

Finally, I was even more surprised to discover that there are little or no corporate members supporting the organization in Merseyside... even though corporate memberships starts at just £25.00

It made me realize that, if just 18 private companies contributed just £100 each, direct to one of the 18 units across Merseyside, it could make a significant difference to the organization as a whole.

Let's give this amazing organization some help and financial support. £100 is nothing to most private businesses (and of course is tax deductable), yet can make a significant difference to these youngsters. If you can help, contact the Chairman of the Marine Society Sea Cadets Merseyside branch, Terry Robinson, MBE by email help (at) oceanclipper.co.uk