FOUR young people from the Vale of Glamorgan who are making a difference in their community have been honoured by the Queen’s representative for the area.

Cadet corporal Madisyn Morgan and cadet sergeant Rhian Horton, both of Barry, Able cadet Lilimai Black, of Penarth, and Able cadet Joshua Edwards, of Llantwit Major, have been appointed as the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets for 2020.

The four were selected for the role, which lasts a year, after being put forward for nomination by Cadet group leaders and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.

The role includes attendance with Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Morfudd Meredith, at a number of official engagements, including Remembrance events, Royal visits and parades.

They were presented with their distinctive badge of appointment in front of around 90 people at an awards ceremony at Maindy Barracks, in Cardiff.

Mrs Meredith said the ceremony was an opportunity to recognise the excellent work of the Reserve Forces and Cadets in South Glamorgan.

She said: “The occasion demonstrates the very best dedication and commitment by those who serve in the Reserve Forces and Cadet families.”

Joshua, 15, of Barry Sea Cadets, who aims to join the Navy, is looking forward to taking part in the World Tall Ships Race from Spain to France in July – an opportunity that arose through Cadets.

“My favourite thing about Cadets is off shore voyages and I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Tall Ships race this summer,” said Joshua, who progressed through the ranks from Cadet to Able Cadet within two years, due to his dedication, commitment and outstanding attendance.

He is always one of the first to volunteer whenever his unit takes part in events or fundraising activities and helped to organise a 24-hour sailing event that raised more than £1,500 towards Barry unit.

Madisyn, 15, of Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF, said the best thing about Cadets was meeting new people and all the new experiences that it offered.

The St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School pupil is skilled in welcoming new joiners to the detachment, and is always on hand to support her fellow Cadets in training and community activities.

This flair for leadership led her to achieve the rank of corporal at the relatively young age of 14.

She scored 100 per cent in her Junior Cadet Instructor Cadre and continues to use these skills regularly, providing high quality training experiences for her fellow cadets.

Rhian, 17, of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets, attends Barry Sixth Form, and is a squadron marksman, basic radio operator, youth first aider and holds the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.

She is also a qualified sport leader, holds a tag rugby leader qualification and runs fun sports sessions for the Cadets at MOD St Athan on a regular basis.

She has attended camps at RAF Cosford and Henlow, as well as overseas camps in Germany, Poland, Belgium and France.

At a recent camp, she was the most senior Cadet and responsible for 40 others and ensured they were in the right place, at the right time and in the right uniform.

“I was really shocked to find out that I had been chosen but I’m really looking forward to attending all the different events that the Lord-Lieutenant attends,’’ said Rhian, who volunteers and fundraises for many organisations within her community.

To learn more visit Wales-RFCA.org