134 (Bedford) Sqn Air Cadets |
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Press Release |
134 (Bedford) Squadron |
On 22nd, 23rd, and 24th December 2006, the cadets of 134 (Bedford) Squadron conducted their most successful fund raising event ever. They packed bags for the generous customers of the Kempston branch of Sainsbury's, and managed to eclipse their original target amount of £4000.
The annual bag packing event of 2006 at Sainsbury's was directed to make money for the squadron's on-going fund raising for a new squadron minibus to replace the ageing vehicle that the squadron currently operates. The staff set a grand goal of £12,000 by the end of the year, of which £8000 was already acquired. The three days before Christmas were therefore set to be busy.
On the preceding parade night the cadets were fully briefed on customer service, and the important rules of packing shopping. They were also informed that there would be a competition amongst the cadets to see who could raise the most money.
The event started early on Friday 22nd December, with the cadets commencing bag packing at 0800 with their usual gusto and vigour, and working through to 1600 in the afternoon. It didn't take long for the donations to come flowing in, and it was soon realised that we were in for a bumper day. At the conclusion of Friday's fund raising, the money was counted, and it was confirmed that in eight hours we had raised £1698.98, which is the largest single amount that has been raised in the last four years of bag packing.
Saturday saw an equally profitable day, with individual cadets raising as much as £150. The overall sum for Saturday was an excellent £1675. All was set for Sunday, which, despite being Christmas Eve, was not set to be as busy as Saturday. After a good night's rest, it would be down to the cadets on the final day to reach the ambitious £4000 aim established by the staff.
Christmas Eve saw the cadets work incredibly hard throughout the tiring day, and, by the time that Sainsbury's had closed, they had managed to charm £1400 from the customers.
The three days combined, therefore, made £4,800 towards the new minibus, far in excess of the original objective.
Warrant Officer Taylor said 'This is an excellent sum of money for just three days' work, and it is down to the fantastic effort and hard work from all those cadets that attended these three days.'