Volunteers’ Week: Cadets complete their toughest challenge

We’re sharing the incredible success of the Threads of Service: Great Tommy Sleep Out 2026 challenge, where Derbyshire cadets and leaders pushed themselves to new limits by completing a series of tasks over 39 hours across Derby, London and Kent.

The challenge raised money for the Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RVBE), and taught cadets about two officers:

• PC Joseph Moss, shot dead on duty in Derby in 1879, and a former Grenadier Guardsman (whose grave the cadets have historically tended).
• PC Harold Hodkinson, a Great War veteran of the Grenadier Guards, seriously injured in some of the worst battles of the First World War, who later returned home and served 15 years as a Derbyshire police officer.

A preparation day took place at the start of March for our cadets, where they learned more about these two officers and were instructed in how to clean graves by Historic England.

From 1am on Monday 30 March, our cadets began the challenge at The Lock-Up Yard in Derby, the place where PC Joseph Moss was fatally shot.

Over the next two days, they cleaned First World War memorial plaques to earn their place on a train to London, visited the home of the RBVE in Kent, toured the Wellington Barracks, and slept on a London rooftop before witnessing the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London - an experience like no other.

Through fatigue, uncertainty and challenge, our cadets showed resilience, compassion and teamwork - raising funds and awareness for veterans while gaining a deeper understanding of service, past and present.

Chris Bannister, Principal Cadet Leader who helped organise the event said: “This challenge showed exactly what our cadet programme is about, developing confident, resilient young people who care about their communities and understand the meaning of service.

“But none of this is possible without our volunteer leaders. If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, now is the time. You could be the person helping a young person achieve something extraordinary.”

Could you be part of their journey?
We’re looking for dedicated volunteers to become Cadet Leaders and support the next generation of cadets as they take on opportunities like this.

No previous experience is needed, we’ll provide full training and your commitment can be flexible. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in incredible experiences alongside our cadets.

Whether you want to give back, build skills, or inspire young people, there’s a place for you in our team.

Find out more and get involved: Cadet Leader :: Derbyshire Constabulary Jobs