Somerset Army Cadet Force

Doniford Cadets Meet Intrepid Explorer

Written by SMI Julie Halford

Two Adult Instructors and three cadets from Doniford Platoon, Jellalabad Company, met Sir Ranulph Fiennes at the official opening of the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team's new centre in South Molten on Monday 2 May 2011. Sir Ranulph, who lives locally on Exmoor, was at South Molten to perform the official opening ceremony.

Exmoor Search and Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation that works alongside the police to provide a search and rescue service across large parts of Devon and Somerset. Whilst at the new South Molten centre, the cadets examined the various rescue equipment used, the communications systems employed, details about the mapping technology and technical rescue techniques. The cadets were also the recipients of fake wounds and injuries that were applied by the Exmoor team for a first aid demonstration.

The highlight of the visit for the cadets was to talk with the famous celebrity, Sir Ranulp Fiennes, who has been described as 'the world's greatest living explorer'. Sir Ranulph was once was a member of the British Army's elite regiment - the Special Air Service.

Since finishing his military career he has achieved several endurance records including being the first person to visit both the North and South Poles by surface means, and the first individual to completely cross Antarctica on foot. In 2003, despite undergoing a double heart bypass operation just four months before, he completed seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. Three years ago, at the age of 65, Sir Ranulph fulfilled a life long ambition and climbed to the summit of Mount Everest.

Attached Images:

Image 1: Cadet Parsons, Serjeant Instructor Smith, Cadet Routley, Cadet Groves and Serjeant Instructor Peter-Budge (Platoon Commander) with Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Image 2: The cadets beside one of the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team's Landrovers.