Fife’s junior aviators are donning their kilts this year to walk their way through a fundraising challenge for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).
RAF Air Cadets from the 1145 (City of Dunfermline) Squadron and 859 (Dalgety Bay) Squadron have joined forces to take part in four sponsored Kiltwalks across Scotland between April and September in a bid to raise funds to support SCAA’s life-saving service.
And they’re appealing to local businesses to add their support to provide maximum impact for their chosen charity.
The cadets have entered teams for the Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh Kiltwalks with between 10 and 16 teenage cadets taking part in each.
The challenge will total 80 miles and businesses are being asked to sponsor a mile for £100 with all proceeds going directly to SCAA.
Emma Irving, Adjutant 1145 (City of Dunfermline) Squadron, explained why SCAA had been chosen for the Cadets’ fundraising focus in 2026.
“Each year, cadets put forward charities to be considered for our Charity of the Year,” she said. “After discussions, the cadets vote, and this year Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) received the highest number of votes across the Squadron.
“SCAA was chosen because it’s a life-saving service that supports communities right across Scotland — including the very areas our cadets live and study.
“The charity relies entirely on public donations to keep its helicopters flying, and our young people were keen to support an organisation that makes a real, immediate difference to families in crisis,” added Emma. “This partnership also helps our cadets understand the impact of civic responsibility and community service, which sits at the heart of the RAF Air Cadets values.
SCAA's Ann McLaughlan with members of RAF Air Cadets from the 1145 (City of Dunfermline) Squadron.
“I’m incredibly proud of our cadets for taking on this challenge with such enthusiasm. They’ve chosen to support SCAA because it’s a charity that genuinely saves lives in our local communities, and they want to give something back.
“We are asking local businesses to help raise as much money as possible for such an amazing charity, whether through sponsorship, donations, or practical support, to help them make the biggest impact possible.
“Every contribution helps keep SCAA in the air and shows our young people what can be achieved when a community rallies behind them.”
SCAA’s Community Fundraiser for Edinburgh, Fife, Lothians and Borders, Ann McLaughlan, welcomed the cadets’ commitment, confirming that their fundraising challenge would result in more lives being saved and improved through SCAA’s work.
“Most people in Fife are aware of the lifeline SCAA provides for their communities,” she said, “and we’re hugely grateful when organisations, businesses and individuals in the area fundraise to help ensure we’re there for the next seriously ill or injured person.
“The RAF Air Cadets from Dunfermline and Dalgety Bay will combine fun with fundraising as they don their kilts for the challenging walks in some of Scotland’s key cities and we wish them well.
“We’re also extremely grateful that the Cadets have offered to volunteer at some of the many events SCAA stages throughout the country during the summer. We look forward to working with them to raise awareness of – and funds for – SCAA’s vital service.”
For more information on supporting the Cadets’ Kiltwalks fundraiser, please contact CI Emma Irving via email: adj.1145@rafac.mod.gov.uk
