YOUNG Sea Cadets in Inverness are celebrating after becoming this month's winners of the Highland News and Loch Ness Rotary Club's community cash giveaway.
The charity, based at South Kessock, will receive £300 which they say will pay for five new drysuits, to help keep the chill out of training when the cadets are active on the water.
The donation is part of a cash giveaway by Loch Ness Rotary Club worth thousands of pounds over this year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its charter.
It has teamed up with the Highland News to run the programme, aimed at grassroots causes rather than the bigger high-profile charities. Each month, a lucky group, individual or charity in the Inverness area receives a cash boost of £300 to put to good use.
Inverness Sea Cadets Petty Officer Duane Lindsay (36) said of their windfall: "We have had our existing suits for seven years and they are getting ripped and torn. New suits will allow us to spend more time on the water.
"Being based in Inverness means it is important to have suits to keep out the cold!"
He added: "We try to do as much fundraising as we can, so we can provide the cadets with the equipment they need. This money will help immensely."
The charity is not military but its training in parts is similar to that of the Navy. The Inverness branch currently has six junior cadets, aged 10-12, and 16 cadets, aged between 12 and 18. A team of supporters and unit assistants teach the cadets sailing, rowing, powerboating and kayaking.
Speaking on behalf of the Rotary Club of Loch Ness members, Hamish Wood said: "As a club we are really pleased to be recognising the work of the Inverness Sea Cadets and all that they contribute to the local communities they serve.
"The fact the local group welcomes girls and boys from 10 years old to join their organisation and encourages and supports them to become well respected young citizens falls very much in line with the reasons Rotary International supports so many youth initiatives."
He added: "We are pleased that this very active group has been awarded the £300 this month and we are more than certain that the funds will be put to good use to develop and expand the group through equipment, training and adventures. We wish them well for the future."
