BACK TO NEWSNews ARCHIVE
YOU Croydon Challenge
Around 100 young people participated in the annual YOU Croydon Challenge on Sunday 2 June 2024, organised by YOU (Youth Organisations in Uniform) Croydon. The event was superbly hosted by Royal Russell School CCF, who even seemed to organise the sunshine!
On arrival, young people from Croydon units of the Army Cadets, Fire Cadets, Girlguiding, Scouts, Sea Cadets, Volunteer Police Cadets and members of Royal Russell School CCF were split into mixed syndicates. They then completed nine challenges run by the adult volunteer leaders from each organisation, designed to develop their teamwork and leadership skills.
Some of the activity stands included an observation stand run by the Army Cadets, a vehicle search run by the Volunteer Police Cadets, a team building exercise run by the RAF CCF Training Team and a ‘toxic waste transfer’ run by the Sea Cadets. Other activities such as an archery competition run by Girlguiding Croydon and a mobile climbing wall run by Croydon Scouting ensured a fun mix of challenges during the day. The event finished with a delicious BBQ courtesy of Royal Russell School.
The Civic Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Kola Agboola, took time out of his busy schedule to visit the event and talk to the young people, alongside Councillor Tony Pearson, Croydon Council’s Armed Forces Champion.
The winning team, Team 5, were presented with gold YOU London pin badges by Colonel Hugh Purcell OBE DL, Chair of YOU London. In his closing speech at the end of the day, Colonel Ray Wilkinson QVRM TD DL VR, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Croydon said: “Thank you for attending, and particular thanks to all the adult volunteers for planning and delivering the event today. Without your dedication, this event could not have happened. I’ve seen so much commitment, enthusiasm and energy today from both the young people and adult volunteers, that it gives me great hope for the future of Croydon.”
