Footballing army cadet sets sights on African adventure

Jodie Kemp has been selected to represent the Army Cadet Force on its annual Ex Kenyan Cub adventure.

The Ex Kenyan Cub aims to support a rural school by teaching the local children English, helping to further develop the buildings and, just for fun, compete in a football tournament.

The 16-year-old, a pupil at Duchess’s Community High School, explained: “The cadets are taking a carefully selected football team, a mixture of boys and girls, which have been picked from across the region to travel to Kenya.

"While we are there, I will be working on a water project, which will help the children get the water that they desperately need.

"I will also be helping start up a football academy with the local communities and will embark on a safari to assist with the conservation of animals.

"And of course, we will be playing a few games of football too!”

Jodie, who plays football for her school and the army cadets, must raise £1,100.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up. So far, the total stands at £125.

Lt Katrina Cassidy, Amble Detachment Commander and W Coy Sports Officer, said: “She is obviously restricted to what she can actually do during this period of pandemic so, as part of W Company of Northumbria ACF the adult instructors are helping Sgt Kemp to participate in this fantastic opportunity.”

The nine day trip is scheduled for February 2021.

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