A group of Black Country air cadets are flying high after receiving a generous donation from a local manufacturer.
2488 (Kingswinford) Squadron Air Training Corps will use a £5000 grant from Alloy Wire International’s ‘Wired for Good’ campaign to purchase flight simulators and essential equipment to help young people take part in activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
It will help up to 60 cadets, aged between 12 and 20-years-old, gain valuable ‘flight time’ in their bid to gain their blue wings, whilst also supporting the squadron’s desire to grow to 100 cadets.
“This is a fantastic boost for our cadets and will help them gain vital flight experience – something they all really enjoy,” explained Flt Lt Paul Burns RAFAC, Officer Commanding.
“We rely on self-funding, so for AWI to come forward and back us so generously means a lot and will help us support even more young people to gain confidence, develop new skills and, ultimately, prepare them for a life and successful career.”
He continued: “A lot of people don’t realise what we do and the role we play in local life. For instance, there’s a lot of charities and community groups we regularly get behind and this year we’ll be raising money with our local Morrisons store for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and developing an eco-garden for St Mary’s Church, alongside volunteers from the church and ‘Kingswinford in Bloom’.”
2488 (Kingswinford) Squadron was originally formed by Mr Ray Preston in his garage in Wall Heath as a detached Flight of 347 (Dudley) Squadron in 1969.
It meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings (from 7.00pm to 9.30pm), 49 weeks per year and carries out activities and parades at the weekend.
Cadets work towards a range of badges, including Radio & Cyber, Leadership, First Aid, Shooting, Flying & Gliding and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, as well as gaining essential life skills that will help them in later life and in ensuring they are more ‘employer ready’.
Tom Mander, Managing Director of AWI, picked up the story: “We’re very passionate about the Black Country and supporting young people to lead better lives and have a positive impact on their community.
“The RAF Air Cadets is a fantastic organisation and fits perfectly with our ‘Wired for Good’ campaign. It does so much in the community and, if our grant can help 2488 (Kingswinford) Squadron grow, support more of the younger generation to gain new skills and enjoy positive experiences, then it will be money really well spent.”
Alloy Wire International, which is the UK’s leading manufacturer of precision drawn, flat and profile wire, launched its charity campaign to mark its 75th anniversary in 2021.
In the following five years, the Brierley Hill-based company has made nine donations, worth over £75,000, to local causes including Acorn’s Children’s Hospice, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Tough Enough to Care.
Flt Lt Burns concluded: “It’s a very exciting time to get involved with the 2488 and the RAF Air Cadets Air Training Corps, which is celebrating its 85th Anniversary in 2026.
“To make sure we reach our full potential, the RAF Air Cadets is always on the look-out for more adult volunteers to help not just us, but all local Squadrons grow.
“The training is provided, and I can guarantee that, after 15 years supporting the cadets, it’s a very rewarding vocation. You will also make friends for life and know that you’ve played a massive role in helping youngsters become better people.”
For further information, please visit www.2488.org.uk or to find your local squadron go to www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/find-a-squadron/. More details on Alloy Wire can be found at www.alloywire.com.
