C Company Cadets deliver Christmas cheer in Mid and East Antrim

The Evergreen’s Pensioner Club members reside in the towns of Ballymena and Larne and the surrounding villages, as far as Cloughmills to Islandmagee.

In normal circumstances they have monthly meetings, promoting friendships, learning new skills, promoting social interaction, day trips and information sessions.

In the past, cadets have come to sessions to give talks on the military history in the area. Unfortunately this year, their normal activities have not been possible and many of the Evergreen members have not seen each other since the first initial lockdown.

The Army Cadet Force (ACF) are currently ‘stood down’ but are still offering revision training and providing work shop sessions for those currently progressing through their Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE), all via Zoom.

When the request for help came through from The Evergreen Club to the ACF to help deliver a Christmas gifts to the more senior members of the community, cadets from various detachments were keen to help out.

DofE Participants from Ballymena, Cullybackey and Larne Detachments were involved in the packing and delivering over the month of December - which also goes towards their volunteering section of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Cadet and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh participant Ellen Robinson, from Larne Detachment said: “I love volunteering on behave of the Detachment and to give back to the community.”

Evergreen’s Club Secretary, Moria Steede added: “It has been fantastic that we could rely on the support of these young people. We’ve had phone calls from club members thanking the cadets and they have put smiles on the faces of many our members, some of which have been confined to their homes since the start of lockdown.”

The Evergreen Pensioner Group would also like thank Clement Chemicals for their kind donation of hand sanitiser for the members, which were added to the gift packs.