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Lord Lieutenant Cadet honour for Loughborough College trio

Posted: 3rd December 2019 - 5:10pm
Lord Lieutenant Cadet honour for Loughborough College trio

Loughborough College students have been appointed to three out of only four coveted Cadet roles by the Queen’s representative in the county to assist with official duties.

For Halle Parker, Millie-Mae O’Callaghan and Saxon Nugent this could include them being called on as Cadet Forces ambassadors to accompany Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Leicestershire, Michael Kapur OBE, if a member of the royal family visits the area.

Police Cadet and Loughborough College Sport Science student Halle, Sea Cadet and Public Services student Millie and Army Cadet Saxon, who is studying at the College’s Sixth Form for A-levels in Chemistry, Physics and Geography, were all thrilled to receive the good news.

“There are more than 300 Leicestershire Police cadets so to hear I had been selected … it’s a tremendous honour. My parents are very proud. It’s actually amazing that three of the four people representing the whole of the county attend Loughborough College,” said Halle, 17.

“I really want to join the police force and I’ve been a Cadet for around a year but already I’ve been involved in some amazing things. I supported undercover missions to check for underage drinking in pubs, I did the Leicester Pride event and I’ve been going into schools and to talk to the elderly about cyber security. I love it. And since becoming Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet I’ve also represented the Police at City Hall and Loughborough’s parade for Remembrance, as well as being a wreath bearer at the Leicester City, Arsenal game that weekend. And I may meet members of the royal family.

“In the past couple of years I’ve had two suspected heart attacks and a functional neurological disorder which meant I was in a wheelchair for three months. But I powered through my GCSEs and was finally cleared medically and now I play rugby at Loughborough College alongside my studies. After going through all that, being appointed as Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet feels particularly amazing.”

“I can’t believe I was chosen from around 600 sea cadets,” added Millie, 16. “Michael Kapur arrived at our unit one evening and told me personally. I was speechless.

“I have already laid a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday event in Victoria Park and I felt very honoured to have been given the opportunity to talk to veterans about their experiences at a service at County Hall.

“I am hoping that when I finish my course at Loughborough College I can join the navy and study at university alongside it, eventually becoming a mental health nurse for the service. I have experience of this in my own family and have always wanted to help people out.”

Saxon, 17, admits he didn’t expect the outcome to be positive when he was shortlisted alongside seven other army cadets. “I was a lower rank than all of them and also knew all but one of them – and they are great people. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. To be told I had been appointed was amazing – particularly to have it announced at camp in front of 1000 cadets!

“I’ve been involved with cadets for four years and have enjoyed every minute. I’ve done expeditions with rock climbing and gorge walking and ice skiing in Italy. I’ve also worked with regular soldiers in the Royal Anglian regiment. I’ve had brilliant opportunities and I want to seize every one - and this year as Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet is no exception. It’s incredible to think I could be involved with royal visits.

“This is such an honour and I want to strive to be the best I can.”

Pictured: Loughborough College’s Halle Parker (left) and Millie-Mae O’Callaghan, together with fellow College student Saxon Nugent, have been appointed as Lord Lieutenant’s cadets for Leicestershire to assist with official duties, including royal visits to the area