Sea Cadets asking public to paint poppy on a pebble

Sub lieutenant Andy Davey, officer in charge of the Chichester and Selsey unit, said: “Either I or one of the cadets would lay the unit wreath at the War Memorial.”

This year they are asking the public to attend the unit and leave pebbles painted with poppies

“We saw #ProjectNova on social media. As remembrance parades are likely to be cancelled this year, we thought this would be an opportunity to remember those who have served, both past and present and especially those that didn’t come home.

“To make it a bit more personal we suggested those painting pebbles, research their family history and find out a bit about any family member who served and put their name on the back of their pebble. Two of the staff members found out about relatives that served during WWI and WWII and unfortunately did not return.”

The pebbles can be placed in a basket at the unit at Pound Farm Road, Chichester PO19 7PX.

He said: “These will then be placed in and around a dinghy planter we have at the front of the unit, this will be lit up at night. These will then be photographed and all the details sent to #ProjectNova, who are recording these nationally. The pictures forwarded to the project will make up an online exhibition (including a map of where all the pebbles have been placed).”

Staff and ten cadets will also be going to sea on Remembrance Sunday to undertake an offshore experience on TS Jack Peatchey. During this there will be a small Service of Remembrance conducted.

Andy added: “We will also be placing our wreath at Chichester War Memorial the same day. We are hoping the Paint a Pebble project will become an annual event.”

For more, visit sea-cadets.org/chichester