AN AIR Cadet from Swindon has won a national award after taking part in a charity expedition to Guatemala.

Clare Fitchett and her expedition group beat off other air cadet teams from all over the country after undertaking a two-week tour called Guacamaya Scarlet Macaw last year.

Her team was singled out by the Shackleton Association that presents an annual award to the Air Cadet Region, Wing or Squadron that mounts the most successful, imaginative and adventurous overseas expedition.

Along with four staff and eight other cadets, Clare spent a week helping to build a visitor centre in a remote conservation centre called Punta Manabeque, then travelled 240 miles to renovate a Commonwealth War Grave in Quirigua, and finally, took a truck load of food to a mountain village where children had been dying of starvation.

Clare, 21, Windrush, Highworth, who is a Cadet Warrant Officer from 878 (Highworth) Squadron spent several months fundraising for the trip and said she received a lot of support from local companies, Highworth Town Council and Swindon Council.

"It was a really good trip. We packed so much into the two weeks and it was really worthwhile," she said.

"It's great to get the trophy on top of that."

She is training to be a nurse at Southampton University and said her best day was spent dispensing medicines donated by the World Health Organisation to patients who were suffering from anaemia and dermatitis.

She added: "The trip was a real eye-opener. On the last day we visited a rubbish tip in Guatemala City and saw how people lived and earned their money. I think that was the saddest day."

The trophy was presented by Air Chief Marshal Sir David Parry Evans RAF Ret'd, Senior Vice President of the Shackleton Association at a reception held at Royal Air Force Boscome Down on Sunday, April 28, 2002.

He said: "From what I have heard before and during their account, the Shackleton Association is pleased to acknowledge the spirit of service to others shown by the Air Cadets' expedition. We are sure the opportunity has afforded these young people with life-enhancing experiences."

The Shackleton Association was formed to maintain the memory of the Avro Shackleton, which was developed from the Avro Lancaster after the Second World War.

The aircraft saw Royal Air force service for over 40 years and was named after the explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.