Funding will support drone technology, first aid and adventure training across 27 squadrons in 2026/27
West Mercian Wing trustees have approved £11,400 in charitable funding to support cadet training and activities across the region for the 2026/27 training year.
The funding, overseen by the Wing’s volunteer trustee board, will be used to enhance opportunities for cadets beyond core provision, delivered by volunteer instructors across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, the Black Country, and Cyprus.
Earlier this year, volunteer Wing staff were invited to submit funding requests aligned with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets training programme and local priorities, ensuring investment is directed where it is most needed.
Ryan Phillips, Chair of Trustees, said: “This funding is about making sure our cadets continue to benefit from high-quality, relevant training across the Wing.
“By investing in areas like drone technology and first aid, we’re not only supporting the current syllabus but also preparing young people with skills that are increasingly important for the future.”
Drone training takes flight
One of the most significant investments is the introduction of drone training. A total of £2,000 has been allocated to purchase equipment enabling delivery of the Blue and Bronze levels of the new drone syllabus. The investment is expected to benefit around 192 cadets each year and, over a conservative five-year lifespan, approximately 960 cadets in total.
Additional funding has been allocated to support general training equipment, first aid materials, military skills equipment, adventure training and resources for cadets with additional needs. Further allocations will be made throughout the year to address priorities not covered in the initial round.
While many Air Cadet activities are supported at public expense, Wing-level charitable investment helps reduce pressure on individual squadrons, allowing their own trustee teams to concentrate on local priorities.
Wing Commander Ross McElligott, Volunteer Officer Commanding West Mercian Wing, said: “The support of our trustees is essential to delivering the breadth and quality of training our cadets experience. It directly translates into more opportunities, better equipment, and an even stronger experience for our cadets.”
The Wing is also seeking a new volunteer trustee to lead on income generation to further enhance cadet opportunities.
