Editon 70
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 bring you another bumper edition with celebrity updates; more incredible fundraising challenges; a world-record attempt; lots of runaway successes and how the power of camaraderie can overcome adversity; and yes – Christmas is coming!
Thank you as always for your continued support
Welcome Aldo Kane – new Charity Ambassador
We are thrilled that Aldo Kane, former Royal Marines Commando Sniper, world record-setting adventurer, extreme, remote and hostile locations’ safety expert and author, has agreed to become one of our wonderful Charity Ambassadors.
Aldo is a well-known TV and film adventurer with over 20 years’ experience both ‘on and off’ set. He has worked in some of the most extreme, remote and inhospitable places on the planet, and appeared on many BBC, Nat Geo, Disney, Discovery and Channel 4 TV channels.
His fascination with exploration and adventure began at an early age. To pursue this passion, he determined to become a Royal Marine, joining as soon as he could at the age 16 and going on to become one of the youngest snipers in the armed forces at the time.
Aldo has, to date, completed 13 world-first expeditions that includes having been part of the world record-breaking team that was the first ever to row from mainland Europe to mainland South America; and more recently he led an expedition inside one of the world’s most active volcanoes, mid eruption.
In his memoir, ‘Lessons From The Edge’, Aldo describes his journey from Commando to Extreme Environment expert that has inspired many others to push their limits, explore the unknown and strive for a better life.
To offer the best possible support to those who are so deserving and who have served their country, we need champions like Aldo who fully embrace the Commando Mindset to help us connect with as wide an audience as we can. We are delighted to welcome him on board.
Unlocking the barriers
Promote, Prevent, Detect & Treat – last week’s Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s ‘One Is Too Many’ Suicide Prevention Conference gave those attending the chance to learn about and explore the impact of the AFCFT’s two-year HM Treasury-funded ‘One Is Too Many’ programme that ended in March.
Our Director of Health of Health & Wellbeing, Danny Egan (joined by CEO Ben Curry and members of the H&WB team) outlined the extent of the work that, as one of the grant holders, the £250K award has allowed RMA – The Royal Marines Charity to carry out under its own ‘Lifting the Lid’ programme.
Since April 2021 when the campaign started, the Charity has had over 300 new mental health referrals; funded 1,195 sessions of individual therapy costing over £122K; funded specialist coaching for 244 Corps Family members; and funded addiction work including briefs to over 1K serving personnel. Over 141 staff and volunteers have been trained to enhance their awareness and understanding of mental health issues, and a powerful series of videos were produced that have been watched over 100K times.
Danny said: “Our learning from this project has evidenced the need that our ‘Lifting the Lid’ campaign must be enduring. We now need to reduce suicide risks of vulnerable veterans in a more co-ordinated and targeted way.
To this end, we are working on gaining consensus on an agreed holistic common assessment framework. This will allow all those working with serving personnel, those in transition and in veterans’ arenas, to work smarter and more seamlessly so that those who are in need receive the very best help possible, and as quickly as possible.”
Commandos’ challenge by sea – by land
Next week is a big week with two mighty challenges taking place to raise funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity:
21st – 28th October: Former RM Joe Maynard and team (pictured left) will be setting off from Faslane to paddle to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge in folding kayaks, covering 125 nautical miles of Scottish coastline.
Joe says: “We will be stopping off along the way at various RM War Memorials ‘to tip our lids’. We’ll have RM/Army and RAF Commandos on the paddle, from Falklands veterans to present day. What started out as a stand-alone pilgrimage to celebrate 75 years of the RMA, has now become so much more. It should be hoofing!!”
Donation link HERE
24th/25th October: firefighter and former RM Greg Wilson (pictured right) from Hertfordshire is aiming to climb Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) – Wales’ highest peak – with at least 10 or more continuous ascents within the 48-hour period, whilst carrying 40lb (18.14kg) on his back.
Greg will be taking the popular Llanberis Path which is nine miles long and 975m ascent, so is a goal total of 90 miles travelled, with a total ascent of 9,750m – a combined height taller than Mount Everest! He will have the support of fellow Bootnecks and firefighters, taking turns to accompany him for safety and pacing.
He is hoping that Operation Snowdon Ascent will set a new world endurance record on the mountain with Record Holders Republic, whilst fundraising both for our Charity and The Firefighters Charity.
Greg says, “Since becoming a dad, I really want to set an example about hard work and pushing your limits. This is set to be a huge fitness challenge, both mentally and physically demanding, but it should help raise money and create a buzz for two fantastic charities.
As both a firefighter and former Royal Marine I know the immense pressure and physical toll of these jobs, often working in serious or highly pressured situations. Both services are like a family with great camaraderie, but the roles are incredibly demanding and these two charities offer invaluable help to the workers.”
Donation link HERE
Harnessing friendships
‘The concept of ‘re-connecting’ Bootnecks of all eras through climbing is a superb match. The bond that grew between the group was very evident and I am certain that this will lead to lasting friendships and support.’
‘I can’t speak highly enough of the importance of these weeks away – a reminder of how good it is for our headspace spinning dits with the lads actually is.’
Following the success of our winter ski trips, RMA-The Royal Marines Charity followed up with a summer climbing trip to Chamonix. It was an overwhelming success with positive feedback received from all 17 beneficiaries who took part (10 veterans, 3 serving and 4 instructors).
Above are just two of the many messages of thanks received from some of the beneficiaries who took part. Many commented how the trip helped them regain a sense of purpose in themselves and that they have felt a material difference in their mental and physical wellbeing: while all also said that one of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was that it helped to foster comradeship over shared experiences.
These Charity-funded respite breaks provide beneficiaries with a space where many feel comfortable to share and talk openly about any challenges they are facing. This has brought about a regained level of comradeship amongst members of our community who were vulnerable and isolated for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, mental health challenges and physical disability.
Weekend running
PORTSMOUTH
A great day was had by all at last weekend’s A J Bell Great South Run in and around Portsmouth. We were delighted to have had eight runners supporting us, including former Royal Marines Commando, Chris Oliver – who is currently starring in the hit Channel 4 series, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The team ended on a high with a magnificent result in raising over £2,000 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity – enormous thanks to them all!
Thanks, too, to Chris for also using the opportunity to promote our own Mission Critical – Virtual 3 Peaks Challenge.
Photo: Some of our triumphant runners pictured with Chris Oliver (pictured middle) and John Reed, RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Welfare & Grants Manager (second left)
YORKSHIRE
Joined by his son, son-in-law and nephew, Ian Clarkson (photo lower right), former RM and survivor of the 1989 bombing of the Royal Marines Barracks in Deal, last month ran the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Ian said: “My son did it five years’ ago and challenged me to do to mark my 70th year. We did it in 11 hours and really enjoyed the day. Down time with some of my family members is very special to me. As a person who likes a challenge and have kept myself fit (I’m the same weight now as I was the day I left the Corp) I said ‘why not’, as the years are adding up it`s now or never.
I chose the Royal Marines Charity because, as a former SNCO, I’m very much aware of the good work they do for all those that need help in any way.”
We are so very grateful and huge thanks to Ian and family for raising almost £1,500 (including Gift Aid).
Huge thanks, also, to the following fab runners who over the past few weeks have also run many miles to fundraise for our Charity:
Lucy Bendle (photo left), mother of a serving RM who raised over £1,500 (including Gift Aid) . She was inspired to run the Yorkshire Marathon by the mindset of the Commando Spirit after seeing how hard her son worked to get through the tough training.
WALES
And Adam Gower, former RM and serial fundraiser who raised £1,133 running the 34-mile Gower Ultra Bach around the Gower Peninsula in Wales (photo top right).
Shopping Corner
You’ll need to be quick but there is still time to pre-order packs of eight impressively deluxe ‘Corps Ribbon’ Christmas cards, featuring a Corps Crest embossed in gold. The message inside reads ‘Greetings and Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year’.
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 that are also available for sale online.
In the News last month
1st/13th/16th/20th/ 22nd/27th/28th September Lee Wingate JOGLE John O’Groats Journal: Northern Times: News & Star Cumberland News: Portsmouth News: Yahoo Life: DnG24 Scotland: BBC Radio Solent x4: BBC Radio Devon: RAC Drive: Portsmouth News
5th /6th /11th Ben Clough Summit Attack Lancashire Live: Exmouth Journal: East Devon News
8th MFM 2024 COBSEO
15th Sniper & Close Quarter Experience COBSEO
22nd Monty Halls Ambassador COBSEO
22nd Corps Family Weekend Exmouth Journal
22nd Ben Curry No 10 visit Exmouth Journal
28th Paddy O’Connell Ambassador COBSEO
29th MP visit CHAMP Building Exmouth Journal
Autumn edition Homeport – The Naval Families Federation’s Quarterly Magazine for RNRM Families – Employment & Education transition case study