A MUSSELBURGH man is one of 9,000 “ordinary heroes” who are ensuring life in the sea cadets continues ‘virtually’ during Volunteers’ Week amidst the Covid-19 crisis.

In addition to being the officer-in-charge at Musselburgh Sea Cadets, Chris Gay, 28, is a busy ambulance control officer with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

He said: “I deal directly with Covid-19 patients as well as medical professionals across Scotland and my job is make sure the patients get the care they need as quickly as possible.

“I love being part of the service.

“Every call is different and every call is a person needing help. I love to make sure they receive the first step along the way to getting the right patient care.”

He added: “It’s helped my people skills which has also helped me within sea cadets.

“I was quite quiet when I started which is unusual for sea cadets.

“When you work with so many people, it brings you out of yourself and it’s definitely taken me out of my comfort zone.”

Eighty-five per cent of sea cadet activities at unit level are taking place ‘virtually’ despite the loss of hugely popular inshore and offshore boating programmes, competitions and the international exchange programme.

Sea Cadets remains an important part of many young people’s lives with nearly 14,500 cadets nationwide. During lockdown, the impact of its volunteers on their lives hasn’t stopped, with a recent survey showing wide satisfaction with the ‘virtual’ sea cadets’ programme.

Captain Phil Russell, RN, Captain of Sea Cadets, said Chris was one of the “ordinary heroes” across the UK who was helping Sea Cadets offer a different kind of adventure to young people.

As officer-in-charge he is holding weekly Zoom sessions and Google Classrooms to train sea cadets in a series of skills such as in first aid, cooking and engineering.

Captain Russell said: “Sea Cadets are proud of our strong links with the Royal Navy but volunteers join us from all walks of life and no previous nautical experience is needed.

“When you start volunteering with us you can be assured of a warm welcome and an amazing experience as part of the sea cadet family.”

Musselburgh Sea Cadets also recently raised funds through crowdfunding to buy treats such as sweets, chocolates and small gifts for hard-working frontline health care workers during the Covid-19 crisis.

A major £75,000 refurbishment of TS Indefatigable, their South Street base, had also just got underway when the Covid-19 lockdown struck.

Potential volunteers who want to join Sea Cadets can find their local unit by going to the website at www.sea-cadets.org

Volunteers’ Week takes place June 1-7 every year.

It’s a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.