A Cadet volunteering to help the NHS

Royal Air Force Air Cadet, 17 year old Omar Juwara, has taken on the term “leading from the front” and has run with it.

In the coronavirus pandemic, Omar took a new job working within the NHS, providing a food service to patients while adhering to strict hygiene protocols due to the heightened risk of infection.

Omar said:

“Since the hospital needed a bit of help, they reached out to the agency I usually work for — I normally help out at Tottenham Football Club. I chose to be a ‘ward host’ which involves taking the orders of patients and fixing breakfast, lunch and dinner and taking it straight to them.”

Thanks to his time in the Air Cadets, Omar has achieved an impressive list of qualifications. From First Aid, to radio, cyber, flying, static line parachuting, camps, field craft and shooting - he has tried it all.

“Being in the RAF Air Cadets helped me realise that putting effort into things and working hard over a long period of time is a satisfying feeling.

“Working as a team and trying my hardest with other people let me realise it’s not only fun, but rewarding. When I taught a group of new cadets a drill sequence and did well in the Wing Field Day competition, I started to believe I was making a difference.”

His instructors are all volunteers and Omar found their commitment admirable and that it passed onto the cadets.

His best moment? Going to Costa Rica with the RAF Air Cadets was probably the most memorable activity for him.

He said:

“I was so lucky, it’s not something a person my age would traditionally do. The experience will stay with me for a lifetime.”