CADET ADULT VOLUNTEERS HONOUR COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND WITH MEMORIAL PADDLE

Jimmy Mayberry, a former Cadet Administrative Assistant with 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force (ACF), sadly passed away from Meningitis on 2nd February 2018.  He had been involved with the Battalion most of his life, from a cadet during his school years until his retirement from the youth organisation in 2017. 

Jimmy (pictured above) was a keen canoeist and kayaker and, as a qualified instructor, he encouraged hundreds of young cadets to take to the water including his own grand-daughter Cadet Corporal Emma Ellison from Larne Detachment ACF.  Emma has recently passed her 1st level of kayaking and will be moving to her 1 Star Paddle Sport award next year through the ACF.

As Jimmy was so passionate about canoeing, the adult instructors of the ACF thought it would be fitting to remember him through the sport, so on Saturday 1st September they organised a paddle of the Bann River from Portglenone Marina to Movanagher Canal.

Eight Cadet Adult Volunteers & 1 dog from the Battalion took part and despite the gloomy weather forecast, they enjoyed a sunshiny paddle down the River Bann.  Negotiating the lock gates at Portna was a new experience for many in the group and the “banter on the Bann” was plenty.  

It was a long journey with everyone glad to eventually get to the camp site at Movanagher Canal that evening.  With a barbeque to follow, they all gathered around the camp fire and exchanged stories about their great friend Jimmy and of course finished the night with a toast to this lovely gentleman who dedicated so much to the ACF.

To date £140 was raised for Meningitis Research and the Army Cadet Force would like to thank NI Waterways for the use of their campsite, Billy Montgomery for his assistance, and all of the volunteers involved, without whose support the trip would not have been possible.

If you would like to make a donation to Meningitis Research in Jimmy’s memory, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/1stNIArmyCadetForce