Edition 59
As a valued supporter, we are pleased to bring you up-to-speed with a weekly round-up of activities from RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and the wider Corps Family.
This week, much of the news we share illustrates the tremendous power of family and the courage, determination, and unselfishness of those who are part of, and involved in the Charity; alongside the vital importance of partnerships in helping us provide life-long support to those in need.
Thank you for your continued support.
Northern Ireland outreach
Our Chief Executive, Ben Curry (pictured left) and Director of Health & Wellbeing, Danny Egan (right), were honoured to be invited to address the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Support Committee’s Annual General Meeting in Bangor Castle last week.
During the opening speech, Veterans’ Commissioner, Danny Kinahan, emphasised the importance of veterans’ voices being heard in NI, and the challenges that are unique to NI in making this happen.
Ben and Danny spoke about the importance of the new relationships being forged through the Charity’s Devolved Nations Veterans Strategy Manager, Si Giles; the work and development being carried out by the Charity across all pillars of support it offers, and the importance of a growing membership. The strong message was that developing a mutual understanding of the support available is critical to improving a beneficiary’s experience when asking or needing help.
They also met with key members of veterans’ support bodies in Northern Ireland, including some of the 11 Local Council Veteran’s Champions. This all helps shape the delivery, signposting and collaboration that we, as a Charity, can undertake in support of our Corps Family in Northern Ireland.
The day included thought-provoking updates from Association of Service Drop-In Centres – Drop-In Centres for Service Members, the Northern Ireland Veterans Support Office | NIVSO, as well as Combat Stress and Help4Heroes both of whom have offices and support staff in Northern Ireland.
Communication and improved collaboration were the overall take outs from the day. “It is important to use all means possible to communicate with veterans so that they know ‘trusted’ support is available, and also to reach those ‘hidden’ veterans across the island of Ireland, especially those who are in need.”
Scotland tees off
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity’s team in Scotland are hugely grateful to everyone involved at Flear & Thomson (Stirling) Ltd for all the hard work and collaboration that went on behind the scenes to make last Friday’s Charity Golf Day at Forrester Park Resort Dunfermline such an unbelievable success.
Paul ‘Baz’ Barrett (pictured left), our Transition Support Officer North (and Scotland, Northern Ireland), joined the 40-50 golfers taking part. In his report on the day, Flear & Thomson Sales Manager, Craig Thomson (right), said: “A fantastic day was had by all the individuals involved in playing/supporting the event which was to help raise funds for the RMA- The Royal Marines Charity.
The greens were a real test to all standards of golfer with subtle slopes and shape that required great feel and imagination. The undulating and challenging walk, too, had all parties really competing to win, but more importantly supporting the event with a smile.
The par 3 at the 6th hole prize was a Kia car for a hole in one. Thankfully all failed this year but no doubt people will already be practicing for next year!
The success of collaboration between RMA- The Royal Marines Charity, Flear & Thomson and the golfing community has led to the forging of new friendships and awareness of the support available to the Royal Marines family.”
Flear & Thomson will present a final cheque to the Charity at the end of the year for the total amount raised.
Triple trial!
Whilst we’re all safely tucked up in bed, spare a thought for serving Royal Marine Archie Macdonald-Buchanan and his two siblings, Max and Orlando. Weather permitting, they will be braving some tough conditions and started their awesome challenge of climbing the UK’s three highest peaks in just 24 hours, raising funds and awareness for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
This demanding feat starts at Ben Nevis in Scotland, before they then drive to Cumbria’s Scafell Pike and on to Yr Wyddfa in Wales (Snowdon) for the third and final push.
What an amazing band of brothers – we wish them every good luck and can’t thank them enough for choosing to raise much-needed funds for the Charity.
Extreme sports
“What you won’t know is how supportive the Royal Marines Family were through our darkest time,” says Ray Holloway on his JustGiving fundraising page.
Ray had been training hard to take part in this year’s Lincoln City Half-Marathon in remembrance of son, James, who was a serving Royal Marines Commando.
The race was due to take place in September but was recently cancelled by organisers. Having already raised over £1,000 (inc Gift Aid) for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, Ray did not want to let down those who had already so generously made donations.
“Anybody that knows me will know I’ve never been much of a runner, so this was big event for me to attempt,” he said. Unfazed and not wanting to disappoint his donors, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
“I have instead done a ‘Virtual’ Half Marathon. I programmed the route into my treadmill and it shows the route on Google street view as you run – also automatically takes care of all the inclines and declines. A couple of pictures attached of my effort.”
Hoofing effort – and huge, huge thanks.
Triple trial!
Many congratulations and enormous thanks to one of our youngest fundraisers, the wonderful 11 year-old Brandon Hiles from Budleigh Salterton in Devon. Along with his father John, a former serving RM, he has successfully completed a100-km kayak between Fort William and Inverness along the Caledonian canal through the Great Glen in Scotland, raising over £1,000 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Way to go!
Extreme sports
Correction: LGBT Veterans Independent Review
Last week we highlighted the publication of the final report of the Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs’ LGBT Veterans Independent Review.
The link provided might not have allowed access to all readers and we apologise for any inconvenience experienced. The report is fully accessible via the correct link here.
In the News last month…
In the News last month…
3rd July Alcohol Awareness Week COBSEO Newsletter
6th July Alcohol Awareness Week – Interview with Charity Addiction Nurse Specialist Pam Diamond BBC Radio Devon
11th July Impact Report case study – Tom Cartwright Employment & Education Exmouth Journal
15th July Impact Report case study East Devon News
26th July 24-hour Relay fundraiser Dorset Echo
26th July 24-hour Relay fundraiser Bournemouth Echo
27th July Opening of The CHAMP Building Modern Methods of Construction
28th July Commando Training Challenge Exmouth Journal
31st July Ambassador appointment Jon White Forces.net