Thank you to The Sun and Dulux without the Paint for Change project we would never have achieved what we have. By the end of the day everyone has a sense of pride and achievement in what they had been part of.

All comments have been positive and one person stated he had passed the building going to work previously not realising the building was there. Already we have attracted new adult training staff and cadets.

The Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Lord Shuttleworth took time out of his busy schedule.

Arriving Preston Sea Cadets on Strand Road, he congratulate the unit for winning The Sun and Dulux Paint for Change and encouraged everyone and offer his support.

Don the famous Dulux Dog arrived at Preston Sea Cadets to lend a paw or two and support the event. All the cadets who helped on the day received a miniature Dulux dog to remind them of the day.

By 0800 (8 am) on the day of the makeover, the 15th September 2009 all the makeover teams and dozens of volunteers including cadets had arrived ready for action and one mission in mind which was to paint as much as they could by 1730 (5.30 pm).

Everyone who was helping was given a red "Paint for Change T Shirt" to wear. Enthusiastically the team set to work painting and scraping.

Tea, coffee, juice kept the crew going and lunch was provided by Preston Sea Cadets Unit Treasurer, the Head of the Parents and Friends Association and there team working in the Galley.

Jason arrived at Preston Sea Cadets with his team of painters on Thursday 10th September 2009 to look at what needed doing, measure up and to confirm the paint colours that would be used on Tuesday 15th September 2009 the day of the big paint.

Preston Sea Cadets would like to thank Jason and all his team for all the work they did on the day. We would also like to thank Tim Gill form Dulux who made it all possible and who also worked so hard on the day, thank you Tim.

The scaffolding arrived on Monday the 14th September as planned. Provided by HSS Hire.

Preston Sea Cadet Headquarters on Strand Road Preston needed to be washed so the unit would be ready for the main event the painting day on Tuesday the 15th September 2009.

With the kind help from the Penwortham Fire Brigade the whole unit was hosed down on the 13th September 2009 ready for the big day and the makeover.

Preston Sea Cadets are sincerely grateful to Penwortham Fire Brigade for all the help they gave. Without this we would not have achieved what we did. Thank you to all the crew at Penwortham Fire Brigade.

Dulux teamed up with The Sun newspaper to reward worthy projects up and down the country with makeovers. The news that Preston Sea Cadets on Strand Road, would be representing the whole of the Granada region was published in The Sun newspaper on 7th August 2009.

Preston Sea Cadets was nominated for a makeover by an Ex Officer of the unit, who thought the unit could do with a lick of paint. Preston Sea Cadets on Strand Road would be competing against 10 other deserving community projects for the coveted makeover prize.

Preston Sea Cadets attend the Riversway Festival and had a brand new Festival Tent thanks to an Acorn grant. The grant also provided money for new Preston Sea Cadet signs with the unit website and the Sea Cadet Corps Crest.

The new tent was put up on Friday evening ready for the weekend. The sun shining and blue sky’s made this a festival to remember with plenty of boating on the docks. Staff and cadets returning for the BBQ held at the Sea Cadet headquarters on Strand Road. Saturday evening ended with the spectacular fire work display held at Preston docks.

Preston Sea Cadets successfully achieved a Waste Action Grant funding award. All the cadets and staff now use the 8 new recycling bins to dispose of aluminium, non aluminium, cardboard and paper.

Environmental education and recycling will now help encourage future generations to continue in producing less waste by recycling.

We would like to thank Morrisons plc and members of the public for helping us raise a much needed £845.00.

In addition to the bagpacking we hosted a recruitment stand which attracted some attention and will hopefully yield us some new members.

Penwortham Gala was a great sucess. Thank you to Penwortham Borough Council for their invite and to members of the public who turned up in their droves and donated an unexpected £76 which is great!

Well done to all the Staff and Cadets who attended and made it an excellent first ever Penwortham Gala for Preston Sea Cadets and what will become a welcome addition to our calendar, look out for us next year!

Thankfully the weather held out for us on the day and we were able to do almost everything we had planned.

In the morning we took to the water of the River Ribble with the canoeists who were in the Area Canoeing competition while the other Cadets set up the stall and held the fort at the docks.

After dinner we once again took to the water, but this time on the dock itself, on our pulling and power boats for many of our new cadets this was their first time on the water.

For those who braved the weather in the evening you may have seen the Sunset Ceremony performed by our Blue Jacket Cadets and overseen by a Marine member of staff. On conclusion of the Sunset Ceremony the cadets huddled under the marquee for hot dogs and to watch the fireworks display, which was as good as ever.

All Cadets are required to attend this event. Our Parade at the Preston City Center Cenotaph. The cadets manned the Cenotaph with centuries and flag duties. The remainder of the Ships Company forming part of the main parade.

Thank you to Morrisons PLC the management, staff and customers, who all helped to support Preston Sea Cadets on the 17th December 2006. A total of 496.91 was raised on the day. From the Committee, staff and cadets at Preston Sea Cadets Thank You.