Cardiff and Vale College A Level learner Maddison Parkhouse has been granted the privilege of becoming a Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Mid Glamorgan.
Maddison will now accompany the Queen’s representative for Mid Glamorgan, Lord Lieutenant Professor Peter Vaughan QPM CStJ on his official duties. The role lasts for one year and was granted in recognition of the Maddison’s work during lockdown.
Announcing this year’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets during an online ceremony, Professor Vaughan said: “Our Cadet Forces are truly amazing organisations, and deserve our congratulation where the combination of military training, civilian qualifications and community work certainly help to develop our young people and put something back into society
“Of course the success of the Cadet Forces is not only down to the young people, it is down to the officers and the volunteers who put so much of their own time into making such difference.
“And I’d like to pay tribute to those individuals particularly during this period where ingenuity, the way that they use social media has ensured that training and contact that has been essential has continued with our young people - quite simply what they have done has been awe inspiring.”
Maddison, who is 18 and from Bridgend, is a Cadet Warrant Officer from Bridgend No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets.
“I felt very honoured and excited when I found out,” Maddison said. “The Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet Award is awarded due to an individual’s duty and devotion they show as a cadet.
“I have worked very hard in my five years five years in the Royal Air Force Cadets doing charity events, parades, camps and courses like first aid.”
Maddison plans to progress on to university to study Marine Biology after her time at CAVC in order to be on the climate change front line. She chose the College as she felt it would give her more independence and has enjoyed the experience of online learning as she feels it has encouraged her to be more productive.
Cardiff and Vale College Deputy Principal Sharon James said: “Congratulations to Maddison from all of us at CAVC – the next year will hold some amazing experiences for her. The fact that she has been recognised by the Queen’s representative for her area shows that Maddison is obviously an inspiration to her peers and colleagues which is something she must be extremely proud of.”