The Bermuda Regiment Junior Leaders are on a new mission — to raise funds to visit their sister unit in Canada.

A Regiment spokesman said the group will be operating a food stall this year at the Agricultural Show this year in addition to helping organisers at the gates and the closing ceremony.

The group already held a sponsored car wash at the Rubis gas station in Paget. Funds raised at the events will go towards a planned trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Junior Leaders Officer Commanding Major Henry Campbell said the group regularly perform community service, in particular helping at Lorraine Rest Home.

“They regularly visit the home to tidy the yard, wash windows, and spend time interacting with the guests by playing music and singing, or sometimes just chatting,” Maj Campbell said.

“Community service is a vital component to the spirit of the Junior Leaders, everything is aimed at developing better citizens for Bermuda.”

The Junior Leaders, open to male and female youngsters between 12 and 18-years-old, take part in a range of adventurous training, including kayaking and abseiling, all under the watchful eye of highly-trained instructors.

They also get training in a range of military activities, including drill and firearms training, with a rigorous emphasis on safety, as well as annual two week camps in Bermuda and trips overseas.

Last weekend, a group did a three-mile route march from Spittal Pond in Smith’s to the Botanical Gardens in Paget as part of their training.

“For young people to sign up with us, they need to be high achievers, anyway,” Maj Campbell said. “But some come here because their parents think they need discipline and others have challenges.

“A lot of them have what it takes. There is too much downplaying of young people. If they turn up here, it’s because they want to be here and they are enhanced by the experience. We give them more structure and development. It’s challenging for them.”

Anyone interested in joining the Bermuda Regiment Junior Leaders should call 238 8206 or follow the links to the Junior Leaders site at www.bermudaregiment.bm.