“There is nothing like watching the progress the cadets make during their time with us.
“They start off as nervous 13-year-olds and develop into capable and engaged young adults ready to embark on the next stage of their lives. Being part of that transformation is the best thing.
Family affair
“The air cadets is very much a family affair. My husband, Chris, is a police officer as well as commanding officer of knaresborough squadron and both my daughters, Sam and Beth, are cadets.
“I was an air cadet myself before becoming a civilian instructor after leaving university. The cadets gave me so much and this is my chance to give back and enable the next generation to have the same opportunities I enjoyed.”