The Twickenham Sea Cadets in Teddington has surpassed a £15,000 fundraising target to refurbish its main building, but the beloved site still remains in danger.
The fundraiser, which aims to finance the refurbishment of the cadets’ main building, has achieved its £15,000 goal, an achievement that Chairman Chris McLaughlin, 34, described as a testament to their members’ commitment.
The fundraiser is part of a target goal to raise £650,000 for the refurbishment of the main building.
In addition to the ongoing fundraiser, McLaughlin explained that Twickenham Sea Cadets (TSC) has committed £400,000 in grant money, in addition to the funds raised.
Richmond Borough Council has confirmed a grant of £75,000 in support of the project from their community fund.
McLaughlin said: “The main building is the lifeblood of our unit, it’s where we do all our parades, it’s where we do all the training.
“The Sea Cadets offers a truly unique set of skills and experiences to young people.
“The diversity of activities, qualifications and events available is unrivalled, in my opinion.
“I gained so much from my time as a Sea Cadet. I am deeply committed to ensuring that TSC is able to do that for generations to come.”
TSC is an independent charity operated in Teddington, and the main building, built in 1948 and opened in 1953, has not been refurbished for over 70 years.
McLaughlin said: “The main building is ageing. The roof is beginning to fail and is consistently leaking water.
“It is made of materials that contain amosite asbestos- one of the most hazardous forms.”
The decision to proceed with the refurbishment was made four years ago, in consultation with members, where all of the charity’s beneficiaries were involved.
The board of trustees has been extensively researching how they can make the building safe and secure for decades to come.
McLaughlin said: “Without the main building, we can’t deliver the services we do today; at any one time, we have up to 55 cadets on our books.”
In addition to the cadets, it also hosts a yoga club, a local band, a TV company, and multiple local sports clubs and resident groups, which all pay to use the facilities.
According to the chairman, around 50% of income comes from hiring out the building to local community groups.
The main building is also used as a polling station during local and national elections.
Parents, volunteers and beneficiaries contributed approximately 60% of the fundraising target, while local donors and residents contributed the remaining 40%.
If refurbishment is completed, McLaughlin estimates that the unit can be hired out to more than 50% of its capacity, an increase of almost 18% from its current available space, if the refurbishment is successful.
The TSC can expand services and the capacity of trainable cadets if refurbishment targets are met.
Twickenham Sea Cadets has seen more than 3000 people become cadets through the TS Saumarez since the building opened, and has helped young people form skills and values based on the customs of the Royal Navy.
TSC were the Canada Trophy holder in 2023 for being the best sea cadet unit out of 450, which McLaughlin sees as proof of the impact the branch has on all cadets’ lives.
TSC became the recipient of the King’s Award for Voluntary Services this year, the organisational equivalent of an MBE, in recognition of the decades-long service in giving youth from 10-18 new opportunities, shaped through the age-old traditions of the Royal Navy.
The fundraiser is still open at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/twickenham-sea-cadets and is taking donations.
Featured image credit: Twickenham Sea Cadets
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