Maidenhead Air Cadets receive £5,000 charitable grant

An air cadet squadron which formed in Maidenhead during the Second World War will receive a little help with its flying skills thanks to a £5,000 charitable donation.

The town's 155 Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC) was presented with the money by the Heathrow-based Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG).

The plan is to use it to buy flight simulator training packages, including high specification flight controls and head up displays.

The award was made as part of a charitable giving and community involvement programme run by ASIG's parent company BBA Aviation.

The Maidenhead squadron was formed in July 1939 as part of the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC).

In 1941, when the Air Training Corps (ATC) was formed, it became 155 Squadron of the ATC, and was the first unit in Berkshire.

During the war cadets were employed as pilot's assistants by the Air Transport Auxilary at RAF White Waltham.

The squadron, now based in Holmanleaze, has 20 to 25 cadets regularly attending parade nights.

It was given the cheque on Thursday, January 12.

Anyone aged between 13 and 18 can join the air cadets.

Visit www.155atc.org.uk for details.