TRUST ASSISTS TOP CADETS
Two Air Cadets from the same squadron have been awarded bursaries funded by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and the Maritime Air Trust to support them through university. Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Knight, Chairman RAFCT
Kristina and Paul are clearly two outstanding Air Cadets and we hope the financial support we are providing will encourage them to rise ever higher in their chosen careers.
Cadet Warrant Officers Paul Fothergill and Kristina Pisano, both from No 241 Squadron at Woodford Green, Essex, received their awards prior to the Whittle Lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London. The bursaries were presented by Air Marshal Sir John Harris, President of the Maritime Air Trust.
Paul, 20, from Woodford Green, is reading IT for E-Commerce at Sussex University. He is undertaking a full Private Pilot’s Licence, initially started by an ATC Flying Scholarship, and is currently a civilian instructor on 241 Squadron. A Gold Duke of Edinburgh award winner, he was the first ATC Cadet to be awarded the Duke of Westminster’s Award for Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation and is a three-time Deputy Lord Lieutenant’s cadet.
Kristina, also 20, comes from Barkingside in Essex, and is reading aerospace engineering at Queen Mary College, London. She gained her gliding scholarship at the age of 16 and her Microlight Wings one year later, and her aim is eventually to join the RAF as a pilot. Kristina has also completed her Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, and was selected to carry the ATC Banner at the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall in 2006.
The MAT Bursary Scheme is intended to support high-quality Air Training Corps Cadets in their first year of University. The selection process is based on the Air Cadet Dacre Awards best-cadet competition, with HQ Air Cadets nominating five cadets from the shortlist of 12 for the Dacre Sword and Dacre Broach.
Since it was established in 2005, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust has donated £15,000 towards the bursary scheme. Its Chairman Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Knight said: “Kristina and Paul are clearly two outstanding Air Cadets and we hope the financial support we are providing will encourage them to rise ever higher in their chosen careers.”
