The Benefits of Charity....
WCoMC support converts to music....
The photographs show the Corps of Drums of South West London Army Cadet Force in the Finals of the first Lord Mayor’s Cadet Music Competition, held at the Guildhall in September!
The success of the cadets in reaching the Finals owed much to the dedication of their officers and instructors, all of whom serve in their spare time.
The Army Cadet Force (ACF) is one of the few youth organisations that are free to join. It attracts young people, many of whom find little at home or at school to prepare them for citizenship. The discipline of learning the drill and musical skills necessary to perform at this level often give a cadet that missing sense of purpose and self respect. Without good instruments, however, none of this is possible.
Company
In 2013 The Company made a gift of £5,000 to the then commandant, Liveryman Simon Chapman, for the purchase of new drums (acknowledged by a small plaque on each drum). Until then, the Corps was using old
instruments, no longer required by other bands. Charitable donations from elsewhere provided the uniforms and other instruments.
This enabled the Corps to perform in public as their skills and confidence grew.
More cadets wanted to join and a virtuous circle was established.
Members who give so generously to the charitable fund can take pride in this entrepreneurial investment.
Liveryman Dr Simon Chapman