AN AIR Cadet adult volunteer who helped save Ammanford's Air Training Corps' 2475 Squadron from closure, has been honoured at an awards ceremony.

Janice Jones, a Civilian Instructor from Llandeilo, was presented with Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed's Certificate of Merit in front of 100 people at the Ivy Bush Hotel, Carmarthen.

Over the last two years, Janice has placed a key role at 2475 Ammanford despite lacking any military knowledge, apart from her son's participation.

It was Janice's practical approach that pulled together the staff and community to keep the unit open.

She said: "I am completely bowled over. When I was listening to other people's citations before mine, I was wondering what on earth they were going to say about me. Obviously, I've had the opportunity to pick up the mantle at a difficult time for the squadron when it was struggling for staff and I'm just glad we got through it.

“I think it shows that anybody can get involved if they want to. The military are much more welcoming than you imagine when you’re on the outside. If it’s a world you might not know anything about but people are prepared to teach you. If you go and ask for help, they will give it to you."

Once getting to grips with the process of bidding for cadet activities, Janice increased the unit’s record participation and achievement in flying, gliding, shooting and inter-squadron sport to among the highest in No 3 Welsh Wing ATC. In the effective absence of a Squadron Commander last summer, Janice maintained unit morale and would recommend the Cadets to other parents.

She said: “I just love being with the Cadets who are so enthusiastic and full of life compared to my office job. It’s a real boost to see them achieve things that they didn’t think they could do, you really see them grow.

“I would say to other parents, get involved. I am thoroughly glad my son joined the Cadets and if he didn’t have that, he would spend all his days on computers playing games that eat up a lot of your youth and don’t give much back – the opposite of the Cadets.”

The ceremony was one of the last public engagements conducted by The Hon Robin Lewis OBE CStJ, who will step down on his 75th birthday next week. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant Ms Sara Edwards will become the new Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed acts as the Queen’s representative at a number of official engagements, including remembrance events, Royal visits and parades. Janice was selected to receive the recognition after being put forward for nomination by cadet group leaders and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.