HUGE congratulations are in order for Ripley Detachment, C Company, Derbyshire Army Cadet Force, who on the 16th September completed an Honour Walk from their detachment in Ripley Derbyshire to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

All funds were being raised for the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The walk was, by permission of his parents, in honour of a local man Drummer Thomas Wright who was the last enlisted Worcestershire and Sherwood Forester to lose his life before the regiment became the Mercian Regiment as it is known today.

The 16 cadets walk started from Mill Hill School (Ripley Detachment) at 0930hrs on Friday 14th September. The cadets were supported at the start by the regimental support team from 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment L/Cpl Derby, the Regimental Mascot, as well as the local school children who lined the beginning of the route and the local branch of Royal British Legion riders who accompanied the cadets for the first mile of their walk.

The cadets received much generosity along the way with local business’s donating money and food to the cadets. The route progressed through Derby to Derby Cathedral on Friday evening and onwards to the cenotaph in the Market Square, Derby.

After camping Friday evening the cadets set off from Stenson Fields on Saturday through to Barton-Under-Needwood to their camp site.

Sunday was a short walk to the National Memorial Arboretum to be greeted by the Derbyshire ACF band, the RBL riders and various Royal British Legion and Regimental Association branches.

A short wreath laying ceremony was held at the ACF memorial where the last post and reveille were played by the ACF band.

This was followed by a service in the presence of Drummer Wrights family, Royal British Legion members, Derbyshire ACF padre, representatives from 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment and LCpl Derby – the regimental mascot, followed by a service in the Arboretum’s chapel and a family service held at Drummer Wright's tree.

The cadets covered over 40Km and have so far raised over £3200 but are continuing to raise funds until Armistice Day, hoping to increase their total.

If you want to know more about the Army Cadet Force visit  www.armycadets.com or follow the links on twitter @ripleyarmycadet

If you would like to make a donation to the Poppy Appeal in honour of Drummer Thomas, please click here to donate online.