Barnsley teenage fire cadet to lay wreath at Cenotaph in London

Teenage fire cadet to lay wreath at Cenotaph Image source, SYFRS Image caption, Harley wants to become a fire officer when her stint with the fire cadets comes to an end By Grace Shaw Yorkshire Published 1 hour ago A teenage fire cadet from Barnsley has been chosen to lay a wreath as part of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London. Harley, a 15-year-old cadet at Cudworth Fire Station, was nominated by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (SYFRS) to lay the wreath of poppies which were made using an old fire hose.

Harley and three other fire service cadets from South Yorkshire are due to join 27 more from across the country for the annual event in Whitehall. The teenager said she was "shocked and really pleased" when she found out she would represent South Yorkshire after being nominated by the fire station's manager. "Laying the wreath and representing the fire cadets makes me feel really proud of myself and my achievements," she said. "At Remembrance we think about all the people and animals that lost their lives helping to keep us safe."

Foster carer Margaret Schofield said she was "proud" of Harley, who had only been a cadet for the past year. Image source, Yui Mok/Press Association Image caption, The wreath will be laid at the Cenotaph in London as part of the Remembrance Sunday service Young people from 13 can join the UK Fire Cadets programme, which typically runs until the age of 17. However, SYFRS's programme ends at the end of Year 11 (youngsters aged 16), at which point fire cadets like Harley can become Volunteer Instructors.

A SYFRS spokesperson said having Harley as a representative of the fire service at Sunday's service at the Cenotaph would serve as a reminder that girls as well as boys could become fire cadets and train as fire officers - a career path that Harley has said she would like to pursue. "Being a fire cadet has given Harley something else she really values: the opportunity to learn alongside others and be part of a team," the spokesperson said.

The SYFRS spokesperson added that using poppies made from old fire hoses was a "poignant link" between the fire service and Remembrance. "I am really proud to wear a poppy made from fire service hose because it's a way to remember firefighters who have lost their lives," Harley said. She explained she was looking forward to visiting London and meeting other cadets from across the country as well as being part of the Remembrance Sunday service itself.

However, Harley emphasised that first and foremost, it was about remembering those who lost their lives helping keep others safe. Get in touch Your Voice Contact form Contact form Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds , catch up with the latest episode of Look North Related topics Cudworth South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Remembrance Day Remembrance poppy Barnsley Related internet links UK Fire Cadets