ACF unit wins Carrington Drum 2007

Carrington Drum is presented to ACF Clwyd

Mr Victor Barley, a director of Carrington & Co. (left)
and General the Lord Walker, Chairman of the ABF (right)
present Cpl Cdt James Chorley and Lt Col M C Mullis,
Commandant of Clwyd ACF, with the Carrington Drum and
Armada Plate on 6 June 2007

Welsh Army Cadet Force unit wins top ABF fundraising prize

The Clwyd Army Cadet Force has earned the coveted fundraising prize of the ABF by trumping all other Army units with their unceasing charitable work.

Clwyd ACF (4th Battalion The Royal Welsh), whose members age from 12 to 18, secured the prestigious Carrington Drum trophy, which is presented annually to the unit that has made the greatest contribution to fundraising.

A few cadets from the Clwyd unit, in North Wales, proposed that the whole group’s fundraising efforts for the year be focused on the ABF, the Army’s national charity. Everyone took the idea to heart and over 20 different types of event were planned. The whole force of 650 soldiers was involved and ultimately raised £4,000.

Many events were planned throughout the year including: the Annual Camp event – Dunk the Officer; a sponsored Himalayan climb to over 6000m; a sponsored 45k march in France at the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme; an indoor rock climbing competition; a raft race; bag packing at ASDA. The unit even donated the fees paid to them for assistance at local events.

The Chairman of the ABF, General the Lord Walker, presented Cdt Cpl James Chorley and Lt Col M C Mullis, the unit’s Commandant, with the Carrington Drum at a reception following a Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade, London, on 6 June 2007.

Five runners up were also presented with Certificates of Merit: 47 Regt Royal Artillery, 66 Fuel Squadron Royal Logistic Corps, Exeter University Officers Training Corps, the Army Foundation College, and a solo effort by WO2 Paul Carpenter, who ran a breathtaking 24 marathons in one year to raise over £6,000. The six Carrington Drum finalists generated more than £28,000 in donations between them.

"I have been truly humbled reading of the finalists’ commitment and results. It has been a brilliant year for entries and I am grateful to everyone who worked so hard fundraising for the ABF this year."

David Shaw, ABF Director of Regional Fundraising