The RFCA for Yorkshire and the Humber has said its goodbyes to outgoing deputy chief executive Jeremy Bleasdale who retired after 14 years last week.
Jeremy played a pivotal role in leading the association’s work in supporting the region’s cadets and will be remembered particularly for his achievements in building the funds of the Yorkshire Cadet Trust – a registered charity that aims to ensure every cadet in the region, particularly those from deprived or less fortunate backgrounds, have the chance to participate in all the opportunities available to them through membership of the cadets
Chief executive Jason Wright paid tribute to his contribution. He said:
“Jeremy has played a hugely significant role in the work of the RFCA, making an invaluable contribution to every area of our activity, from our work on the reserve and cadet estate to our finance operations and involvement with the cadet and reserve units.
“His first love has been to support the efforts of the cadet forces across the region and it is, in part, a tribute to his work that we have in Yorkshire such a flourishing cadet movement supported by truly committed and dedicated teams of professional staff and volunteers.
“Jeremy’s retirement comes at the end of 50 years of public service which includes a long and distinguished career in the military as well as his years with the RFCA. We wish him health and happiness as he moves to the next stage of his life.”
Socially-distanced farewell
Staff were able to give Jeremy their best wishes at a socially-distanced farewell event at the RFCA’s St George’s Place headquarters where they also had the opportunity to meet his successor Wayne Pledger who joins the RFCA following his retirement from the British Army in July.
Wayne, who is from North Yorkshire, joined the Army at 16 and served throughout the world including in Northern Ireland, Falklands Islands, Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan during a 39 year career which saw him rise to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
“We are delighted to welcome Wayne to the RFCA and look forward to working with him,” said Jason Wright.