They’ve made landfall with a £10,000 grant from London Freemasons to finish off urgent long-term repairs to the building in Essex Road.
The cash is being used by the Sea Cadets charity to refurbish the hall, which has been mothballed since 2013.
“This funding has come at a critical time in our project to reopen the unit,” its branch chair Jennifer McCavour said. “It means we can now complete renovations on the ground floor and open the building once again.
“It’s a special thing to see our cadets’ pride in their new home.”
The drill hall had been closed for extensive renovation including new roofs, solar panels, heating and electrical wiring.
The Freemasons’ grant means the Sea Cadets can now complete the ground floor for parade drills in their own building once again.
London Freemasons’ Paul King said: “We are supporting the Sea Cadets to set sail on their journey to create an environment that instils strong values and high standards of personal conduct.”
But the charity still needs funding to open the remaining two floors of the building and are looking for further financial support to complete the project.
Plans to reopen at a temporary location nearby in 2020 were scuppered by the outbreak of the Covid pandemic.
The youngsters are currently meeting in a temporary base, appropriately on HMS Belfast moored in the Pool of London near Tower Bridge.
Sea Cadets is a youth charity helping youngsters “towards responsible adulthood” by encouraging personal attributes and high standards of conduct, using a nautical theme based on the Royal Navy.
They are offered skills and qualifications in a safe learning environment that could “take you around the world”.
One 15-year-old sea cadet, Serafina, said: “You learn life skills here. I was 12 and was very quiet and shy — but the Sea Cadets make you find your confidence. You feel part of something special.”
Sea Cadets Islington meets every Friday 7.15 to 9.30pm at HMS Belfast located at The Queen’s Walk, Southwark.
