March 2, 2016
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Highland and Lowland RFCAs hosted a highly-successful Parliamentary Reception in the grand surroundings of the Palace of Westminster in London on 23 February.
The event was held to explain to Peers and MPs the role and responsibilities of the Associations and to provide a platform for key members of the chain of Command in Scotland, Reservists and Cadets to engage with members of both Houses.
High-profile guests included Reserves Minister Julian Brazier, Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt and former NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson.
They were hosted by a dynamic group of senior military officers, representatives from Reserve and Cadet units from all services in Scotland and staff from both RFCAs including respective chief executives Mark Dodson and Robbie Gibson.
The two-hour event also provided a platform for a Reservist and Cadet to talk about their experiences in uniform.
Following speeches by event sponsor Brendan O’Hara MP and HRFCA Chairman Angus Taverner, Commanding Officer of 205 Field Hospital, Colonel Helen Singh, took to the floor.
As part of her speech, she said: “Reflecting back on my experience as a new officer I was consistently challenged – not just in a clinical capacity – but it may have been leading a section on a patrol competition across Dartmoor or being part of a team climbing a Himalayan mountain and I firmly believe this develops individuals and employers benefit from this.”
She added: “I am very grateful to all of the employers for enabling their employees to serve the country. Joining the Reserves was one of the best experiences I’ve had, being able to deploy on operations to care for soldiers and civilians has certainly been the highlight of my career and it has been an absolute privilege to treat them.”
Col Singh was followed by Leading Cadet Kyle Buchan (SCC Peterhead) who shared his experiences of life in the Sea Cadets.
He said: “Through Sea Cadets I’ve gained a Royal Yacht Association power boating qualification. That allows you to take a 25-ft powerboat up to two nautical miles out to sea. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know any of my friends who can take a power boat out unsupervised!”
He also told how he had specialised in first aid and mechanical engineering.
He added: “One of the most important things I’ve got from Cadets is the friendships I’ve made, because you meet people from all over the world. So that and the confidence it has given me are the most important things I feel I’ve gained out of Cadets.”
The event was organised by HRFCA and sponsored by Mr O’Hara and attended by around 40 MPs and Peers from across the parties and drawn mainly from Scottish constituencies.
Main image (above) shows Brendan O’Hara MP with Cadets and Cadet Adult Volunteers at Westminster. For more images click HERE.
Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt with Cadet Warrant Officer Matthew Haley and Cadet Staff Sergeant Eilidh Rattray.
HRFCA Chief Executive Mark Dodson (right) with Reserves Minister Julian Brazier.
