A SQUAD of air cadets proved they were on target when they swept up second place at the military skills competition The Elworthy Trophy.

Chigwell Cadets, based in Squirrels Lane, Buckhurst Hill, took on a series of challenges including an obstacle course, march and shoot competition, and orienteering to finish in the runner-up spot for the Trophy, with events taking place at the Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex.

The Elworthy Trophy sees ten teams of Army, Sea and Air Cadets from across Greater London competing against each other.

This year, the Chigwell team of cadets included two sets of siblings: brothers Marius and Deon Vermaak and sisters Helen and Clare O’Keefe.

Flight Sergeant Helen O’Keefe, 16, a student at West Hatch High School, in Chigwell, has been a member of the Chigwell Cadets for three and a half years.

She said: “It’s been great fun this weekend and the first time that any of our team has taken part in the competition.

“We’ve enjoyed all the activities but the rafting was the best, even though we came second last in that event, because the team spirit was there. For me, that’s been the highlight of the competition.”

The eventual winners on the day were Army Cadet Force Middlesex.