RAF CCF cadet named best in country

Cadet Warrant Officer Charlotte Apel, 19, has received the Sir John Thompson Memorial Sword after being announced as the top CCF(RAF) cadet in the country.

After a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style interview at RAF College Cranwell, regional finalists for the top male and female Air Training Corps cadet and top CCF(RAF) cadet underwent intense questioning in a bid to take the title out of some 31,000 air cadets.

Charlotte, who attends Merchant Taylors’ Girls School, impressed the judges with her long list of cadet achievement including completing the Air Cadet Leadership Course and competing for the Air Squadron Trophy and air experience flights – and she took the top CCF(RAF) Cadet Award.

In the ceremony at RAF College Cranwell, the home of the RAF, Charlotte received the Sir John Thompson Memorial Sword from Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore McCafferty.

Some of Charlotte’s RAF Air Cadet other accomplishments included travelling to America with the International Air Cadet Exchange and overseas camps in Akrotiri, Troodus and Gibraltar.

Charlotte said: “My years with the RAF Air Cadets have been the most challenging, opportunistic, proudest and happiest of my life so far.

“I like to think I bring a smile, a positive mindset and a sense of humour to every event I am part of.

“After winning this prestigious award my message to young people would be to never say ‘no’ to an opportunity and to always believe that you can reach your goals, because if you can do that you are already halfway there.”

Charlotte has an unconditional offer from Lancaster University to study Finance and Economics. Charlotte hopes to join the University Air Squadron where she hopes her RAF journey will flourish.