Edition 63
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, we share news of those who have literally hit the ground running; and a tip on how you can add some extra colour to your life!
Thank you as always for your continued support.
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Ready for the ‘off’
“I feel ready”…. says RAC patrol Lee Wingate from Portsmouth who is on his way to Scotland in readiness for the start of his epic challenge on Friday (1st September). He is aiming to be the first to run unsupported from John O’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE), creating a new world record for this famous route’s toughest category.
Over the past couple of weeks, Lee has been busy making last minute adjustments to his home-made ‘support pram’ and training hard in preparation to run the 860 miles or so completely unaided. He is raising funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity in memory of his grandfather who was a Royal Marines Commando.
Lee has said he was humbled after receiving an anonymous donation from someone who, in explaining their support, told him that ‘the charity saved my life’. “This really brought home to me how important it is for me to do this and what RMA – The Royal Marines Charity means to past and present serving families’.”
Lee is planning to run about 50 miles a day. He says, “I’m not going to stress about that daily distance. I find it is the reason a lot of runners quit their attempts because their ego can’t take it if they fail to keep to a pre-set plan. As a minimum, I’ll be happy with 40 miles a day.”
To ensure that Lee’s unsupported run is not jeopardised in any way, he asks not to be approached should people catch sight of him along the way, but rather to show their support by making a donation via his fundraising page.
Good luck, Lee – we’ll be following you every step of the way.
You can join us in tracking him here from Friday 1st September.
8 out of 12!
The intrepid Heather Crawford has just ticked off the eighth of the 12 Ultra marathons she plans to complete this year in her 12 in 12 challenge – running an Ultra marathon every month during 2023 to raise £12,000 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Her latest marathon was along the notoriously challenging, steep, rocky 35-mile section of the South West Coastal Path, between St Ives and Lamorna.
It ran true to form – each of her Ultra marathons honours a location, landmark or event that is in some way symbolic to the Corps. This area of Cornwall, incorporating Land’s End, is home to 17 of the toughest climbing challenges that Royal Marines Commandos undergo during their tough nine-month training regime.
Hoofing effort, almost done Heather – you’re an inspiration!
Having moor fun
Our Fundraising team was recently out and about supporting Karl Little, co-founder of the first-ever Exbourne Show on Dartmoor in Devon. Karl served as a Royal Marines Commando for seven years and the new fundraising event was for two charities including RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Despite the weather not being particularly kind to the community extravaganza, it failed in dampening spirits, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the family-friendly event which included live music, wrestling, a tractor parade, lots of local produce stalls, and a firework display.
Karl is a great supporter of our Charity. He has previously worked with our Employment & Education team to mentor and help secure employment for service leavers. He is also a member of the influential West Country 100. Enormous thanks for all the great support.
Shop talk!
The Royal Marines Shop, located in Plymouth, is wholly owned by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, and all profits come back to the Charity to help support the Corps Family.
The small team sources, designs, develops and fulfils a fantastically wide range of Corps branded products which are also available for sale online.
For example, these great towels are not just for the beach. They are also perfect for sports, wrapping- up after cold water swimming – or just for bathroom use at home to add a splash of (Corps) colour to your day!
A wild success
It was another fantastic Bank Holiday weekend at Gone Wild Festival with Bear Grylls.
A huge thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who joined RMA – The Royal Marines Charity team to help out with all that went on in and around our stand.
We are incredibly grateful for the tireless dedication, enthusiasm and generosity of everyone who was involved, and to those who visited our stand and so contributed to its success.
Operation Polar Bear
The following is an excerpt from an article published in the latest issue of the Globe & Laurel magazine, the official bi-monthly Journal of the Royal Marines.
Click the button below to read more.
‘The Combat Camera Team (CCT) from 30 Cdo IX Gp RM, deployed alongside other elements of the 3 Cdo Bde RM to capture and record the successful evacuation of Eligible Persons from Sudan.
Within 18 hours of getting ‘the call’ our three-strong team landed in Cyprus, to join B Coy 40 Cdo. We had been deemed by Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) as a priority to capture the first and subsequent stages of Op Polarbear. Running through RAF Brize Norton and onto our aircraft, kindly helped by JFHQ to get us through at speed, the CCT made it onto the aircraft. Destination, RAF Akrotiri and subsequently Sudan.
After landing, we linked-up with the 40 Cdo RM team. B Coy welcomed us with open arms, accommodating and accounting for all our needs. Ranks at all levels, including the CO, approached the CCT and explained how important our contribution would be. This gave the team and I a huge confidence boost; enabling the team freedom of movement and giving the photographers opportunities to capture the great content needed to support the operation….’