TWO air cadet units in Chippenham and Rudloe will have the latest technology at their fingertips after they secured a £9,400 lottery funding grant for their radio operation and training delivery scheme.

About 65 cadets from the 1304 Chippenham and Rudloe Manor squadron will be treated to new computers, laptops, printers and handheld radios as part of the scheme, which will help them learn the skills they need for radio communications.

“We are very happy as we weren’t sure that we were going to get the full amount,” Flight Lieutenant Richard Whittaker said.

“Now that we have, the money will go towards supporting the air cadets’ general training and aspirations.

“There is a syllabus attached to the air cadets and radio communications is part of that, so the money will go towards buying equipment for our members in Chippenham and our detached flight squadron at Rudloe Manor to help enhance the training that we can provide.

Some of the IT equipment will also include publishing tools, as the cadets write their own newsletter.”

The grant is part of the National Lottery’s Big Lottery Fund round-up where 39 community projects across the south west shared a total of £349,774.10 to help provide social activities for children over the summer holidays. Across England, 508 projects are sharing £19.8m.

The 1304 squadron, which teaches 12 to 18-year-olds, will be running through the radio communication syllabus during a number of exercises where they can earn badges and learn skills that can be used in both military and civilian life.

“We are looking forward to running community exercises and local events over the summer,” Mr Whittaker added.

To join the cadets email 1304@aircadets.org.