SEA cadets in Weymouth have taken on challenges to raise money for RNLI lifesavers.

Weymouth's Sea and Royal Marine Cadets had to stop meeting in March and have held virtual parade nights and lessons via Zoom and Google Classroom during the pandemic.

Not wanting to miss out on their usual community activities, the cadet group - a charity - decided to give something back by taking on a fundraising challenge to support the local branch of the RNLI.

The idea was thought up by the unit’s Petty Officer Cadet and two Leading Cadets in early June - since then, cadets have been taking on a series of challenges based around the number '20' due to the year, 2020.

These include doing 60 sits ups for 20 days; 20km bike rides, and selling baked goods to 20 different people.

Other challenges involve walking, paddleboarding and running - and all were completed by 12 July.

Sub lieutenant Sara Cornick RNR, commanding officer of the unit, said: "At this time of great uncertainty and hardship the Cadets have embodied all our Corps values - especially commitment and integrity - by choosing their own challenges, getting their own sponsorship and motivating each other to achieve.

"The funds will be a significant boost to this vital local charity and we are so grateful for support."

Initially the target was £500 - but at the time of writing, over triple that amount had been raised - the total stands at£1,831.

Sub Lt Cornick added: "This commitment is typical of the young people in the Sea Cadet Corps and highlights the value of the organisation to our young people.

"We are only limited in what we can achieve by the numbers of volunteers we have. I would love to speak to anyone with a few hours to spare who would like to help, for example, fundraising for ourselves, instructing our Cadets, our committee, administration or volunteering to take our cadets to competitions, Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions and courses in our mini-bus.

!Our next intake of young people aged 10-18 is in September and we’d love more to join us so please do get in touch."

Sub Lt (SCC) Cornick’s email is co@weymouthseacadets.org.uk.

To donate to the fundraiser visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/weymouth-sea-and-marine-cadets