Double celebration as Wigan army cadet twins are honoured for selfless pandemic acts

Dad Neil Tunstall proudly thought of his twin daughters and all their selfless acts when he saw a Facebook post from the army cadets asking for nominations for the county’s Young Citizen Award.

Cadet corporals Charli and Leah Tunstall, No 5 (Anzio) Company, have both kept themselves busy over the last 12 months helping others.

At the beginning of the pandemic, new roles were created at Wigan Infirmary for care makers.

Cpl Charli Tunstall wanted to help so applied for one of the positions and was successful.

Her role was to support the work of staff and help the patients who were unable to have visits from their families due to the pandemic

restrictions.

Cpl Tunstall spent a busy three months in full PPE assisting in this role.

She also continued to take part online in cadet activities and assist with Girl Guides as a young leader.

In recognition of this work the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Dr Eamonn O’Neal, chose Cpl Charli Tunstall as the winner of the Young Citizen Award for the Wigan area.

Her sister, Cpl Leah Tunstall, was given a Special Recognition Award for helping in her community.

She has been attending online cadet activities and raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support with her mother.

The girls’ mum Kerri shaved her hair off and Cpl Leah Tunstall cut and donated her long hair to Little Princess Trust, which provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24 years old, who have lost their hair through cancer treatment and other conditions.

To present both corporals with their awards, a special visit was arranged so the High Sheriff could hand them over in person.

He went to their home in Wigan to present Cpl Charli Tunstall with a certificate and plaque as the winner of the Greater Manchester Young Citizen Award – Wigan Area and a Special Recognition Certificate was presented to Cpl Leah Tunstall.

SSI Debbie Callaghan, county PRO, said: “Well done to both cadets. Your family are clearly very proud of both your achievements as we are in Greater Manchester ACF.”

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