A YOUNG army cadet has embarked on a voyage of remembrance, adventure and personal development to mark the 100th anniversary of the close of the First World War.

Army Cadet Sergeant Marc Hague, 17, of Shield Row, Stanley, County Durham, boarded the tall ship Lord Nelson in the shadow of Tower Bridge on the River Thames setting sail from London to Edinburgh on a ten-day voyage.

Marc is one of 97 army cadets to undertake the challenge and was selected from the entire UK Cadet Forces.

The Lord Dannatt’s Round Britain Challenge is the ultimate nod to the armed forces and their sacrifice for their country.

Each 10-day voyage will see 12 injured service personnel and 24 cadets and instructors aged 16-25 working as a team to sail the ship to the next capital city.

Their duties include climbing the mast, being at the helm of the ship, setting the sails and much more. Marc was set to steer the ship in the early stages of the voyage which set off on Wednesday.

The team will work together to sail around Great Britain on board a specially adapted tall ship, changing crew every 10 days in each capital city (London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff). In each change over port there will be a celebration of remembrance, inclusivity and diversity.

Marc will dock in Edinburgh on Friday and participate in a parade at Edinburgh Castle to end his thought-provoking experience.

In each capital city hundreds of cadets and local supporters will have the opportunity to visit the ship and participate in the festival.

Marc has raised over £700 for this opportunity to support veteran’s charities, with overwhelming support from Durham ACF, family, friends and his employer the South Causey Inn, where he works part-time.

Colonel Brian Kitching, Commandant Durham ACF said “This looks to be an outstanding opportunity for these young army cadets supporting the amazing cause. “Marc has embarked on what can only be described as a once in a lifetime opportunity courtesy of the Army Cadet Force. We all wish him well on his voyage”.

A quarter of a wooden shield will be presented to the crew in each capital city, at the end of the challenge the final piece of the shield will be presented in London where the cadets will march the shield – a First World War Memorial – to the Tower of London.