A BOY aged 15 has encouraged other teenagers to follow in his footsteps by joining the Oxfordshire Fire Cadets.

Rhys Woodward, whose dad Richard Woodward is a county firefighter, has been part of the group, which trains youngsters in firefighting drills, since he was 12.

Now the Henry Box School pupil is reaching out for more kids to join him.

He was inspired to join the cadets to “make a difference” after hearing stories from his dad about saving people from fires.

Last month, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service renewed calls for those aged between 12-18 to join their cadet units at Witney, Banbury, Watlington, Slade Park, Bicester and Kidlington.

Now Rhys, who wants to be a firefighter when he leaves the cadets at 18, said: “I think people should get involved because it helps you make friends and it improves your intelligence and if someone is hurt you know what to do because they teach you first aid.

“It helps the community when you put on the cadet uniform and you feel like you are part of a really special group “It is about being able to save people by putting out fires.

“I was 10 when I first decided that I wanted to do it because my dad used to come home and tell me his stories and I decided I wanted to make a difference.

“I am now thinking about becoming a firefighter because the cadets has inspired me and I would like to become a firefighter.

“I was voted as cadet of the year in my first year, which felt great because there were about 15 cadets at the time.

His dad, and watch manager at Witney fire station, Richard Woodward, has worked there for 10 years.

Rhys’ dad Richard said it filled him with pride to see his son pursuing a career fighting fire and added: “It teaches them about responsibilities and what it takes to be firefighter.

“It gives Rhys a sense of responsibility for someone at an age where they can really only rely on sport or not do anything.

“The cadets gives them an opportunity to get involved in the community and to consider a career in the fire service.

“It makes me proud as a parent to see him in the cadets and he has already been nominated as the cadet of the year and if eh chooses a career in the fire service he will have all the skills ready.

“I would encourage other parents to get their kids involved in the cadets because it gives them a sense of right and wrong and an ability to put their skills to use and be part of a team.”

To find out more about the fire cadets, call 01865 842999 or email fire.cadets @oxfordshire.gov.uk