For Yorkshire teen Katie Ashford, lockdown has been the time for finding her wings and joining the Air Cadets.
“It may seem a slightly strange thing to do at a time like this,” said Katie, aged 15, from Mirfield.
“But I was coming to the end of my time with the Guides and joining the cadets was a natural next step.
“So far it’s been all online. There’s been quizzes which are a lot of fun and talks given by some really interesting people about space and satellites – things I wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to do.
Meeting cadets
“I’m looking forward to finally meeting the other cadets in person sometime soon. I really want to make the most of all the things the cadets has to offer, especially flying an aeroplane. But in the meantime I’m happy to make the most of what’s available now.”
Katie, who is in Year 10 at Rishworth School, Calderdale, is with 868 (Mirfield) Squadron.
Online cadets
Katie’s Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell, said: “Our adult volunteers and instructor cadets put a lot of effort into providing great activities for our cadets to do online during this lockdown period, so it’s great to see new cadets joining us so they will be very much part of the squadron by the time we return to in-person training.”