Fed member shares pride at 'amazing' cadet heroes
9 April 2025
Dom Wardle works for the Force as one of its civilian cadet leaders, overseeing the programme’s north division.
Holding a similar role in Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Dom started as a police cadet leader in 2023 but has been working with young people for more than a decade in a range of capacities and initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award.
Teri (far right) and the rest of the cadet group joined by the Duke of
Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace.
And it was on a DofE expedition last May when a group of police cadets led by the 29-year-old acted remarkably in the face of adversity.
On a bronze level walking expedition in the Peak District, the six girls had not long passed their first checkpoint when one cadet, Teri, suddenly fell ill.
“Out of nowhere, Teri became unconscious. I was contacted by another leader, who himself had received a call from the other five girls,” said Dom, who was waiting for a number of participants at checkpoint two.
First aid
“But in the 20 minutes before I could reach them, the girls responded to the situation by carrying out comprehensive first aid, putting Teri in a recovery position, elevating her legs and checking her breathing and heart rate.
“The way they acted in such a controlled manner, while remaining so calm, was amazing – they even made detailed notes on everything that was happening.”
This exceptional response made it easier for Dom, helped by a voluntary cadet leader, to come to a decision on the next step – which was to call mountain rescue, with the nearest road roughly 600 metres away.
Although an air ambulance was also mobilised, Teri was eventually taken away by
a land ambulance after regaining consciousness during treatment from paramedics.
The 15-year-old then made a full recovery from her collapse in hospital.
Proud
Dom said: “I am immensely proud of the girls for what they did. In all my years of doing DofE, I have never seen or heard of a cadet going down on an expedition.
“The fact they were cadets from all over the county, and didn’t really know each other before the walk, makes their teamwork even more incredible.
“Not only that, but they had all only been in the programme for a year at most.
The longest serving cadet of the group was actually Teri herself, who has been involved with us for about four years.
“First aid is something we cover in the cadets and something like this shows that what we’re teaching is working.
“This is really pleasing, because the purpose is to take young people and give them resilience, and skills to benefit them in all sorts of situations in life.”
Buckingham Palace
Later in the year, Amelie, Clarissa, Bethan, Emilia and Rosie – as well as Teri – were acknowledged for their heroics with the DofE scheme’s All-Stars of the Year award.
The win took the cadets to Buckingham Palace, where they met the Duke of Edinburgh himself.
Following this, the group accepted their prize in person at the annual DofE This is Youth ceremony last month at the London Transport Museum.
Cadet programme
“I know they have all really enjoyed these moments of recognition. The award is something the whole cadet programme is so proud of. I believe the girls beat around 300 other nominees to first place,” Dom added.
“The fact they were able to meet the Duke was a lovely touch for them, too. And the day after Buckingham Palace, we even got to link up with the Met Police and have a look at New Scotland Yard, which is the exact type of policing enrichment we want to have in the cadets.
“Among everything, I think what’s important to remember is that the girls actually carried on with their expedition after Teri was taken to hospital.
“As I said, this is the resilience we want to instil in our young people, and they are all an absolute credit to the cadet programme.”
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