A YOUNG Salvation Army cadet has swapped the bright lights of London for Cumbernauld – and says she could not be happier.

Claire Whybrow is one of the Salvation Army's youngest cadets and she has thanked the people of her new 'home' for welcoming her after arriving on a 12-week placement.

The 24-year-old, from Peterborough, joined commanding officers Stephen and Joanna Moir to help out with a range of projects at the charity's local base on Clouden Road.

With the age of Salvation Army cadets ranging from 22 to 56, Claire is one of the 'babies' at the charity's William Booth College, in London.

The training centre is named after the charity's founder and Claire has just completed the first half of a two-year course.

In her second week of placement in Cumbernauld, Claire – who is training to become an officer – says she already feels part of the community.

And while many of her friends back home are throwing themselves into their careers, hobbies and families, Claire is following her calling.

She said: "I'm so happy to be in Cumbernauld to help Steve and Jo with the amazing work they do.

"I'm already helping out with Sunday services, visiting people and in the Hope Kitchen where food parcels are given out.

"This is my first placement so I'm excited, if a little nervous, to be here.

"But the people of Cumbernauld have been so welcoming and friendly that I feel like I've been here for longer than a week."

Claire said she found her calling at a church ceremony and later when she visited Ground Zero, in New York, and went into a church and found a bible open at a verse which she saw as another sign.

She said: "The bible was open at Isaiah 42:6. The verse, which says God will hold my hand and make me a covenant for the people.

"It had been important to me before then so I saw it as another sign."

Claire and her family have been part of The Salvation Army all their lives but her new role has seen her work in Zambia and Malawi.

She added: "I spent three months in Zambia and six weeks in Malawi.

"In Malawi, I worked with kids who had been trafficked. I was based in a centre there for rescued children.

"It was harrowing, but the young people there were just so friendly and eager to learn."

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk