Sea Cadets launch campaign to fund new windows

TS Defiance, the training ship for Sea Cadets in Newhaven and Seaford, has launched a fundraising campaign to replace 14 broken and vandalised windows.
Sea Cadets fundraising for new windows SUS-160215-103528001Sea Cadets fundraising for new windows SUS-160215-103528001
Sea Cadets fundraising for new windows SUS-160215-103528001

On the first day alone, the group raised £748 towards the cost of replacing all the boarded-up windows, which will be around £18,960.

Alan Rankin-Thorn, the management committee Chairman, said: “It’s a fantastic start and on behalf of the cadets and the volunteers that run the unit, I would like to thank those that have donated, but it’s not going to be plain sailing if we are to reach our target over the next two months.”

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TS Defiance has been the home for Newhaven and Seaford Sea Cadets since the 1970s, when a group a parents re-mortgaged their houses to buy the old Chapel.

However, over the years, the building has declined and now requires £180,000 worth of building work over the next two years to bring it up to a first-class facility that provides a wide range of activities for the local 10 to 18 years olds.

The fundraising page, which can be found online at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/new-windows-for-our-sea-cadet-unit, states: “We are staffed only by dedicated volunteers and receive no direct funding from the Government or the Royal Navy and are our own Registered Charity.

“Sea Cadets is a disciplined youth organisation based on traditions of the Royal Navy.

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“We provide a wide range of activities to our Cadets that include sailing, canoeing, rock climbing, engineering, IT and communications, music and cookery. We aim to encourage good citizenship providing worthwhile qualifications, experience and adventure.

“Unfortunately over the years our beloved HQ has been patched up with the funds that were available and we are now in desperate need to replace our windows to keep the wind and rain out. We have 14 tall windows in our unit, most of which are boarded-up, broken and let in the winter weather.

“To replace these with modern, warm windows that can be opened and will allow light to flood in to our proud cadets parade and activity area will cost £18,960.00 (Quoted by WarmView Windows of Worthing).

“It is unfortunate that the shape and size makes the windows very expensive. This is where we need as much financial help as we can receive.”

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Visit www.tsdefiance.com to see other ways in which you can support the group.

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