Squadron of support for inspirational Simon

A DEDICATED and inspirational flight sergeant at Royton ATC has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Fl Sgt Simon Pogson has spent the past 13 years volunteering and helping to run 1855 Squadron, which meets every Monday and Wednesday at Hillside Avenue, Royton.

The father-of-two from Royton, who was a cadet with the squadron, spent 17 years in the RAF regiment before injury forced him to leave.

He returned to his beloved squadron in 2000 and has since inspired generations of air cadets aged 13 to 20 to raise their aspirations and achieve their aims.

Padre Anthony Roberts, squadron chaplain and volunteer chaplain for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, nominated him for his hard work and for always thinking of others before himself.

He said: “I find him inspirational and supportive to all who he serves.

“He always puts the children first, is always thinking of others before himself and he inspires the youth of the ATC.

“Everything he does, which is on a voluntary basis, is for the cadets.

“He is very approachable and always takes their problems on board. He is a lovely person.”

Flt Sgt Pogson, a lecturer in Uniformed Public Services at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton, said: “It’s really nice to receive recognition for what you do. I always kept ties with the squadron when I was in the air force.

“When I returned I wanted to help the young people the way I’d been helped when I was young.

“As a child, if I hadn’t been with the cadets I don’t know what I would have done. I met so many different role models who encouraged me to achieve my dream of joining the air force. People whinge about children but my theory is that if you’re not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.

“Being part of the cadets means helping raise their aspirations, especially for some children who don’t realise what they can achieve.”