Letter: Hard Knox

I was lucky enough to hold the position of a female officer in the Knox Academy Combined Cadet Force (CCF) between 1996 and 2000. It was very sad to witness the disbanding of this 104-year-old organisation (your report, 6 September), the only state school CCF in Scotland.

It provided a "family" for its pupil members, many of whom did not succeed in other areas of the curriculum and whose home lives were not always supportive.

As cadets they enjoyed a sense of togetherness as part of a well-established and well-run team. They took pride in how they dressed, in being physically challenged and in learning new skills such as first aid and Scottish country dancing.

They took part in outdoor pursuits that they would otherwise have had no chance of accessing. Year groups mixed well and the younger cadets looked up to the older, more senior cadets. It gave those pupils who did not believe they had much to offer a sense of pride and purpose.

In this era of disillusionment with the younger generation it is an utter disgrace that such a long standing and prestigious organisation with such an obvious community benefit could be brought to its knees. Young people often get bad press these days. Yet those who voluntarily take part in an organisation that gives them a sense of discipline, focus, ambition and unity do not have the future they deserve and neither do the dedicated adult team (and parent helpers) that have run the Knox Academy CCF over the years.

Samantha Peck

Bankrugg

Gifford, East Lothian