For the past 49 years, 2517 (Buxton) Squadron of the Air Cadets—formerly known as the Air Training Corps—has offered young people aged 12–20 the chance to get involved in a range of exciting activities, such as flying and gliding, rifle shooting, and completing the three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Award—so highly valued by educational institutions and employers.

The group currently has 25 cadets, with a waiting list of young people who want to join. Before they can, however, the future of the Buxton Squadron needs to be secured, as they are short of adult volunteers to to help run their activities.

The Cadets meet two evenings per week, as well as some weekends for activities further afield—in the great outdoors, piloting an aircraft, or even spending time on an operational Royal Air Force station.

No previous experience or qualifications are required, and there is a range of both volunteer civilian and uniformed roles on offer, depending on your time commitment and interests.

Full training and support will be provided for all new volunteers.

Flight Lieutenant Tracy Vahter RAFAC, Commanding Officer of 2517 (Buxton) Squadron, commented: 

“I've volunteered with the Air Cadets for 14 years, and found it to be extremely rewarding. 

“I hope to have many more years to come with this amazing organisation and the young people it benefits so significantly.”

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented: 

“The Air Cadets is a fantastic institution offering young people some really valuable skills and experiences.

“I would urge anyone who can to consider volunteering with the Buxton Squadron. It would be devastating if they had to close.

“Members of my own team credit the Air Cadets with the worldly experience they needed to succeed in the world after school.

“This can really change young people’s life chances in the most extraordinary ways.”