Activity and expedition costs.
Support towards adventurous training, UK or overseas expeditions, DofE expeditions, battlefield tours and commemorative events.
UK programme
Adventure,
The Forged Series
Adventure,
forged with purpose.
A national programme of UK-based, multi-discipline events raising charitable donations for the Cadet Opportunity Grant.
01
Why The Forged Series exists
To turn public challenge into practical opportunity.
Every public donation associated with The Forged Series is directed to the Cadet Opportunity Grant.
The series creates a recognisable, repeatable platform for challenge in the UK. Each event has its own character, route and discipline, but every event serves the same outcome: helping create opportunities for young people.
The charitable routeForged event → public donation → Cadet Opportunity Grant
The grant is held and managed independently by Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK (ACCT UK).
Forged Series donations do not fund International Missions.
02 · What the grant can support
Practical help that removes a real barrier.
Cadet Opportunity Grants can help young people take part in approved activities they might otherwise be unable to afford, or help units provide approved equipment that expands access to opportunity.
Kit that opens access.
Approved equipment for adventurous training, expeditions, sport and music—from waterproofs and rucksacks to tents, paddleboards, bikes or instruments.
Opportunity based on need.
Individual or group support that helps ensure family circumstances do not automatically prevent a young person from taking part.
Independent governance
ACCT UK assesses applications and makes every grant decision.
Examples are illustrative, not guaranteed awards. Eligibility, permitted costs and the application process are governed by ACCT UK's current grants policy.
03 · The idea
Different disciplines.
One standard. One purpose.
A Forged event can focus on one discipline or combine several into a multi-day challenge. The format changes; the standard of preparation, judgement and charitable purpose does not.
Hiking
Endurance, routecraft and sustained effort across demanding terrain.
Kayaking
Water confidence, technical control and teamwork in changing conditions.
Paddleboarding
Balance, composure and accessible challenge on inland or coastal water.
Cycling
Distance, pace and sustained effort across road, trail or mixed terrain.
Trail running
Movement, resilience and judgement over natural ground.
Navigation
Decision-making, self-reliance and accuracy under pressure.
Winter endurance
Preparation, discipline and sound judgement in cold conditions.
Multi-day team challenges
Leadership, adaptability and shared responsibility over time.
04 · How an event works
One clear journey, from challenge to opportunity.
Whatever disciplines it combines, every Forged event follows the same four-stage model.
Define the challenge
Set a credible UK-based objective with a clear route, standard and charitable purpose.
Prepare properly
Match the planning, safety information and communications to the demands of the event.
Go live
Bring the route to life through Mission Control, Garmin inReach tracking, field updates and authentic imagery.
Create opportunity
Direct every public donation to the Cadet Opportunity Grant through ACCT UK.
05 · The Forged badge system
One event. One numbered challenge patch.
Each annual Forged event receives a numbered challenge patch reflecting its disciplines and story. It is separate from the founders' International Mission patches.
One event. One identity.
Every Forged event has a unique numbered patch built around that year's human-powered disciplines and challenge.
Recognised from £250.
A supporter donating £250 or more to a Forged event's Cadet Opportunity Grant campaign qualifies for that year's Forged challenge patch.
Every donation creates opportunity.
All Forged donations—whether or not they reach the patch threshold—go to the Cadet Opportunity Grant held and managed independently by ACCT UK.
Recognition is not participation.
A Forged challenge patch recognises support for that event. It is never an International Mission patch and does not imply participation in a founders' mission.
The patch threshold is £250. The value of every donation is the opportunity it helps create.
Fund Cadet Opportunities
06 · The lasting outcome
The event finishes. The opportunity continues.
The point of The Forged Series is not to celebrate endurance for its own sake. It is to build a sustained source of attention and charitable support that helps young people access experiences capable of shaping confidence, leadership and aspiration.
Donations are made through ACCT UK. Cadet Horizons does not receive or administer the grant funds.
Follow the series