Sea Cadets secure funds to uplift shelter

A West London Sea Cadets unit has been given a boost after being named as a Selco Community Hero.

The Feltham and Hounslow Sea Cadets group was dealt a blow at the end of last year when it suffered problems with ceilings at its building on Poplar Way.

Repairs are underway – and now the group has been named as one of the first winners in our Community Heroes 2024 campaign.

The Community Heroes campaign gives community groups and good causes the chance to secure materials to use on a project.

Feltham and Hounslow Sea Cadets has secured £500 of building materials to improve its facilities – and will also be a finalist later in the year with the chance of winning £5,000 in cash.

Heidi Pepper, chairperson of the group, said: “We are over the moon to be named as one of the first Community Heroes winners of 2024.

“We support young people in their development, offering them opportunities to learn about marine engineering and boating.

“In December we started an emergency renovation as our ceilings were failing and other parts of the building did not meet current standards.

“Most of the project is complete but we still have some areas to focus on. The funding has come to an end so this prize from Selco is very timely indeed.

“We can’t wait to let the young people enjoy their new space.”

Feltham and Hounslow Sea Cadets will visit our Hanworth branch on Hampton Road West to choose its materials from the extensive range of materials and products on offer.

This is the fourth time we have supported good causes across the country through Community Heroes, with an annual prize pot worth more than £10,000.

Over the course of six months, 12 winners will benefit from £500 to spend at their nearest Selco.

A public vote will follow, with one overall winner bagging £5,000 in cash and a runner-up awarded £1,000.

The scheme is open to any charity or group which is at the heart of its local community and entry can be made by explaining in no more than 100 words how the building materials or money would be used to benefit members.

Entries can be made online.

Alison Wong, Head of Communications and Sustainability at Selco, said: “We’re delighted to support Feltham and Hounslow Sea Cadets, which offers amazing opportunities to young people in the local area.

“We have received hundreds of entries to Community Heroes so the judging process was extremely difficult. Feltham and Hounslow Sea Cadets really stood out, however, as we were impressed with their determination to restore their facilities to their former glory.”