An appeal is under way to try to help a group that teaches young people leadership skills and how to work as part of a team – as well as giving them the chance to learn how to fly.

1208 (Warsop) Air Cadets has launched a gofundme appeal to try to raise at least £500 to continue its work.

A spokesman said: “We rely on fundraising throughout the year as we’re a charity and some things are not covered by our parent service, the RAF.

“Our cadets (and staff) are doing all they can to raise much-needed funds to carry on giving our young individuals the chance they wouldn’t have normally. COVID-19 has hit us hard, normally we have fundraising in process like bag packing at supermarkets etc, but this is not possible.

“Please donate whatever you can afford. We need to carry on giving these aspiring pilots, engineers, lawyers, or whatever they wish to do, the best possible chances in life.”

The air cadets give young people, aged 12-20, the chance to take part in activities that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible, teaching valuable skills and providing qualifications.

The cadets added: “The Royal Air Force Air Cadets provides the means to take them flying, we give them the chance to earn their own pilots licence and to even become an instructor so they can teach other cadets how to fly!

“We give them leadership skills but we also teach them to be part of a team. We teach them how to survive in the wild by giving lessons in fieldcraft, adventure training and teaching them how to cook.

“We provide sport facilities so we can find the next footballer, swimmer, rugby player or the next athlete to go on to the next level.

“We teach recognised first aid courses, some of which has been tested in the real world with a few Air Cadets using their skills to treat people.”

To support the cadets, click here.

To find out more about the group go to http://warsopaircadets.co.uk/