Sponsor Our Squadron
Help us support our cadets and the 2493 (Alsager) Squadron
Two Ways to Support Us in Summer 2026
We're running two parallel fundraisers this summer, each supporting a different cause. Pick whichever one moves you, or back both. The two pages below make it clear where every pound goes.
Operation Wall Guard — for the Squadron
Our cadets are undertaking an 8-week virtual journey along Hadrian's Wall, walking and running the 84 miles between Wallsend and Bowness-on-Solway in Roman-themed patrols. Some of our staff are walking the real wall alongside them from 21–28 June, also in aid of the squadron.
Donations on Crowdfunder go directly to 2493 (Alsager) Squadron funds, paying for flying, adventure training, DofE, camps, band and kit for our cadets.
Secure donations via Crowdfunder UK · 100% to the squadron
Hadrian's Wall Walk — for Alder Hey
Other squadron staff, together with friends of the squadron, are walking the actual Hadrian's Wall over 7 days from 21–28 June 2026, covering all 84 miles on foot from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway.
Donations on JustGiving go directly to Alder Hey Children's Charity, supporting the children's hospital in Liverpool. Read more about the walk →
Secure donations via JustGiving · 100% to Alder Hey
What Your Crowdfunder Donation Does for Our Cadets
Every pound raised via our Crowdfunder goes directly to 2493 (Alsager) Squadron funds. No middlemen, no overheads, no third parties, your donation reaches cadets aged 12 to 17 in the form of real, life-changing experiences they would rarely be able to access otherwise.
Donating to the staff Hadrian's Wall walk instead? Those pounds go to Alder Hey Children's Charity via JustGiving, not to the squadron.
Here's a detailed breakdown of what your Crowdfunder sponsorship actually pays for.
Getting Cadets to the Skies
Air Experience Flights and gliding are provided free to cadets by the RAF, but getting our cadets there is down to the squadron. Your donation helps fund:
- Transport to airfields such as RAF Woodvale and RAF Syerston for Air Experience Flights and Volunteer Gliding Squadron sessions, including minibus hire, fuel, and insurance.
- Driver qualifications and training for the adult volunteers who take cadets on these long round-trip journeys.
- Drone operations and pilot training at squadron level, giving cadets early exposure to modern aviation.
- Support kit, flight briefing materials, aviation-themed training resources, and ground-school equipment used on parade nights.
Adventure Training
Outdoor challenges are central to cadet life. Your sponsorship funds:
- Rock climbing and abseiling weekends at certified outdoor centres.
- Kayaking, canoeing and sailing at approved lakes and coastal locations.
- Mountain biking, orienteering and fieldcraft training.
- Specialist instructors, safety equipment and venue fees, adventure training cannot run without qualified adult supervision.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
RAFAC is one of the UK's largest DofE providers. Your donation helps cover:
- DofE registration fees for Bronze, Silver and Gold awards so cost never blocks a cadet.
- Expedition kit, tents, stoves, cooking equipment, navigation kit, group shelters.
- Practice and qualifying expeditions including campsite fees and transport.
- Qualified expedition supervisors and assessors for every trip.
Annual Camps & Overseas Trips
Camps are often the highlight of the cadet year. Your money subsidises:
- Summer camps at active RAF stations across the UK, a week living alongside regular personnel.
- Overseas exchanges to bases in Cyprus, Gibraltar, Germany and beyond.
- Camp fees, coach transport and meals, keeping the cost to families as low as possible.
- Bursaries so no cadet is ever excluded from a camp because of family finances.
Squadron Band
2493 is one of the few squadrons in Greater Manchester Wing with its own active band. Your donation maintains:
- Instruments, drums, bugles, trumpets, flutes, cornets and more, loaned free to every cadet.
- Repairs, servicing and replacement parts for an ageing instrument fleet.
- Sheet music, stands, uniforms and accessories.
- Transport to performances at Remembrance Parades, Battle of Britain events, and local carnivals.
Leadership & Qualifications
Cadets leave our squadron with real, recognised qualifications. Funding supports:
- BTEC qualifications in Aviation Studies, Public Services, Teamwork & Personal Development, and Music.
- Leadership courses, Junior Leaders, Senior Leaders, and Advanced Leadership.
- First Aid at Work and casualty care certification.
- Radio communications and cyber activity qualifications.
- Methods of Instruction and classroom teaching certificates for senior cadets.
Uniform & Kit
Cadets receive a full RAF-style blue uniform free of charge. Sponsorship covers:
- Uniform issue and replacement as cadets grow.
- Boots, gloves, webbing and fieldcraft kit for training exercises.
- Squadron-specific badges and brassards.
- Cleaning, alteration and repair of worn or damaged uniform.
Sports & Competitions
Cadets represent the squadron at wing, regional and national level. Funds pay for:
- Target shooting with No.8 rifles, air rifles and the L98A2, full ammunition, range fees and qualified instructors.
- Team sports, football, rugby, athletics, swimming, cross-country.
- Travel and entry fees to inter-squadron and inter-wing competitions.
- Drill and ceremonial equipment and event travel.
Squadron HQ & Running Costs
Behind every activity is a building, a minibus, and a week-in-week-out training programme. Your money helps with:
- Utility bills, maintenance and upkeep of the Cadet Training Centre.
- Minibus running costs, fuel, servicing, MOT, insurance.
- Training materials, classroom equipment, stationery, IT kit.
- Safeguarding, first aid, and welfare resources that keep cadets safe.
Keeping It Affordable for Every Family
Perhaps the most important thing your donation does: it keeps cadet subs, the small monthly fee families pay, as low as humanly possible.
Without community fundraising, subs would have to rise sharply, and families already facing cost-of-living pressure would be priced out. Your sponsorship is the reason that every young person in Alsager who wants to be a cadet, can be, regardless of family income.
Community & Citizenship
Cadets aren't just here for themselves, they give back. Your sponsorship indirectly funds:
- Remembrance Day parades across Alsager and the region.
- Battle of Britain commemorations and Armed Forces Day events.
- Charity events, cadets regularly raise funds for other causes in the community.
- Local carnival and community performances by the squadron band.
The Bigger Picture
The skills and experiences funded here, teamwork, leadership, resilience, public speaking, practical problem-solving, stay with cadets for life. Many of our alumni go on to careers in the Royal Air Force, the wider armed forces, aviation, engineering, the emergency services, and countless other fields.
Others simply carry forward the confidence and discipline they built here into whatever path they choose. Your donation is an investment in the adults these young people are becoming.
Why It Matters
The Air Training Corps gives young people experiences they would struggle to access anywhere else, from flying light aircraft to Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, from target shooting to squadron band performances. Most of these activities are heavily subsidised or completely free to cadets, which is only possible because of fundraising like this.
Keeping subs low so every cadet can take part depends on the generosity of our community. Your sponsorship directly funds these opportunities and keeps the door open to every young person in Alsager.
Follow Our Progress
Every sponsored mile pushes our patrols further along the Wall. Track where each Roman-themed patrol has reached, which forts they've passed, and who's leading the race to Bowness-on-Solway.
Other Ways to Help
Can't sponsor financially? You can still support us by:
- Sharing the Crowdfunder link with friends and family
- Following us on Facebook for updates
- Volunteering as an adult helper (see our Join Us page)
- Attending squadron events and community fundraisers
- Offering a skill or service as a one-off donation in kind