A broken arm failed to stop one March air cadet from completing a gruelling three day expedition to the Yorkshire Moors as part of his Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Cadet Francis Perks, of March 1220 Air Training Corps, praised his six fellow team mates for helping him successfully complete the expedition which saw the group navigate a route from Rosedale to Robin Hood’s Bay in three days.

They were accompanied by an assessor who ensured they stuck to the rules and completed all 20 of the requirements needed to make the expedition valid for the Silver Award.

Cadet Perks, broke his arm just a week before the expedition, having spent time with his fellow cadets; Cadet Ewan Macrae, Cadet Josef Pankhurst, Corporal Joe Goodman, Cadet Frasier Casson-Rennie, Corporal Fran Plitsch, and Sergeant Kyle McLean; completing a series of training sessions including practical navigation lessons in Snowdonia and the Peak District.

They all completed a short overnight expedition in Cambridgeshire to finalise what equipment they wanted to carry and what food to have on the menu for their trip.

Having decided to complete their expedition in the Yorkshire Moors they spent several evenings planning their route. They included locations they particularly wanted to visit such as the interestingly named Blue Man i’ th’ Moss and a waterfall called Falling Foss.

They were self-sufficient throughout the three day trek carrying full expedition rucksacks with tents, sleeping bags, food and drink plus other kit required.

Cadet Perks commented: “My arm was quite an annoyance to begin with however, with help from the team, I pulled through and managed to complete it with a smile on my face.”

Sergeant Kyle McLean said he enjoyed the challenging terrain and landscape, and that completing the Silver National Navigation Award earlier in the year really helped him prepare for the trickier elements of the route finding.

For further information on 1220, please visit our website at 1220atc.org.uk