“I know people who’ve had support from St Christopher’s and so anything we can give back, we will.”
With around 2,000 men, women and children of all ages participating in St Christopher’s Fun Walk, it requires military precision and an army of volunteers to make it run smoothly.
Central to that efficient operation are the two dozen or so from Bromley Squadron Royal Air Force Cadets, led by Flying Officer Ethan Sykes who is already keenly anticipating this year’s Fun Walk on Sunday 10 May at Keston Common.
“It’s the highlight of my year. I know how important it is for St Christopher’s and how much it means for all the people walking so whatever we can do to help is never going to be enough but we will do absolutely everything asked of us to make it run smoothly,”
says Ethan who joined the cadets as a tearaway 13-year-old in 2012 and now works as a police officer.
“We get to Keston first thing in the morning and help set up the gazebos, carry around the thousands of bottles of water, pick up litter, man stalls – you name it, we’ll do it so long as it’s within my risk assessment.”
It’s St Christopher’s place in the hearts of thousands of people both in Bromley and the wider south London area that is key to motivating Ethan and his team of willing cadets.
“I know people who’ve had support from St Christopher’s and so anything we can give back, we will.”
“The atmosphere at Fun Walk is electric. It’s a day that’s full of emotion for people but you wouldn’t necessarily know it because there’s such a positive energy. And to see the smiles on people’s faces as they cross the line with others cheering them on, that is what I would define as a community. It’s just perfect.”
Just days after sending out the invitation for cadets to volunteer at Fun Walk 2026, the response is such that Ethan is confident there will be more than last year’s 25.
In the three months between now and then, Ethan will gleefully run the twice weekly parades and weekend activities in the hope he can make a difference to the lives of his cadets.
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