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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.
Thank you for your continued support.
As one of our extraordinary supporters who shine so brightly across the generations
Who has gone the extra mile to generously help, fundraise, volunteer and support us in so many ways during 2023
Who has taken up the torch with courage and determination to brave the elements and often overcome huge personal challenges to run, swim, paddle, climb, cycle, hike and bike across land and sea
And be it big or small, to generously dig deep to contribute and give of your time in so many different, wild and wonderful ways
To support the Royal Marines Family who make so many sacrifices in the protection of our nation
Thank you – through your selfless support you have helped RMA – The Royal Marines Charity to change and save lives, lift spirits, and make the world a better place for so many of our beneficiaries.
We could not offer the through-life support they deserve without you.
In sending warm Seasons’ Greetings from all the team, we humbly salute you in this short video.
Christmas cheer
Jim Morris, our Transition Support Officer (South & Wales) has today met up with members of the Corps family enjoying a free pre-Christmas break at the Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire West Wales. This respite break has been most generously provided by the Bluestone management team of which former Royal Marine, Glenn Hewer, is one.
Over 120 members of the Corps family including Mums, Dads, wives, children and grand-parents, are staying at the beautiful holiday resort that is surrounded by nature, enjoying some family-oriented Christmas festivities.
Jim said: “To open their doors by giving our families, including those who are vulnerable, the opportunity to enjoy precious respite time together at this special time of the year is a truly magnificent gesture. Every single family is having a truly magical time and we are again truly grateful to Glenn and the entire Bluestone team for their support.”
Diolch (thank you)!
Going cold turkey
“I believe I’m over the hard bit,” says inspirational former Royal Marine Jonathan Rees who is now over a third of a way into his 32-week ‘Commando Don’t Drink Challenge’.
Jon has pledged to go alcohol-free for 32 weeks – the equivalent length of time it takes to train to become a Royal Marine, choosing at the same time to raise funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity after the Charity supported him financially towards the cost of an urgent cancer treatment operation which saved his life. He has, to date, raised over £1,500 – way to go!
With Christmas, New Year and a milestone family birthday to get through, he remains fully committed to going the full course, with alcohol-free options his tipples of choice.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine as the challenge seems to have taken a surprising twist. I’ve started experiencing some really positive changes. Sleep is better. More energy. Look and feel healthier. Weight loss – and feel a lot more driven to make positive changes in all aspects of my life. So this challenge that I was dreading to start, I’m now beginning to embrace.”
Almost halfway…
Former Royal Marines and serial adventurers Alan Chambers and Dave Thomas expect to reach the half-way point of their mammoth Mission Spiritus Antarctica scientific expedition to the geographic South Pole on Christmas Eve, if the weather continues to be kind to them.
The lads passed 84 degrees with a good day of 25Km completed yesterday (Tuesday 19th), and if they continue to make such good progress, this puts them on track for 85 degrees, the half way point, on 24th December. The occasion will be marked with a special call of support from RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Ambassador, Aldo Kane!
British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) radio is also keeping regular tabs on their progress. You can listen to their latest interview via the button below; and another live interview has been scheduled with Amy Coulsen for her morning show on Christmas Day.
We are hugely grateful that, although this expedition is primarily a scientific one, Alan and Dave are also fundraising for our Charity and, to date, have raised almost £5,000. Brilliant!
Bicycle made for two
Our enormous thanks to Lauren Clark and Alex Marks (above), a fantastic duo of amazing fundraisers from Newport, South Wales who cycled 874 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats on a tandem bicycle in just nine days, raising £949.20 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity (and the same amount for the Welsh Air Ambulance).
As the daughter of former Royal Marine Ray Clark, Lauren was unfazed about sleeping in hedgerows along the way despite some atrocious autumn weather conditions and, in a nod to her Dad, wore the same RMA charity t-shirt that he has used for past fundraising!
Ray says: ‘’What made it even more special was that Lauren chose to start the ride on the very same date I joined the Corps back in 1988!’’
BZ – Hoofing effort.
Nearly done and dusted!
We couldn’t end this fundraising year without giving one final shout-out to the fabulous Heather Crawford who, at the end of the month, will run the 12th and final Ultra Marathon of her awesome 12:12:12 Challenge.
At the start of the year, Heather embarked on the epic mission to complete 12 ultra runs in 12 months to raise funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, meticulously planning all the mileage in or around a location, landmark or event that has a special connection or is symbolic to the Corps.
She committed to also honour the 12 core values of the Royal Marines “that are those I try to live my life by. Ultra running is not just about physical capability but mostly about mental battles, determination, humility, adaptability, respect and overcoming. The runs will not be fast, may involve lots of walking, but I am bloody minded enough to finish!”
And she’s certainly proved true to form! She runs the last 100 mile- Ultra along the Grand Western Canal in Tiverton, Devon close to the base 40 Commando in Taunton on 28th/29th December – and there’s an open invite to anyone in the area to go along and join her!
You can support Heather here.
A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in our ‘Virtual 3 Peaks Challenge‘ which ends this week. Each in their own unique way, they will have completed the equivalent distance of the National 3 Peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddf (Snowdon) across a virtual map – a total of 453 miles. Amazing!
We’ll share details of the final amount collected and announcing the name of the top fundraiser with you early in the New Year.
In the news
NOVEMBER 2023
1/2 Greg Wilson Summit Ascent: Charity Today News; The Comet; Sky News;
3 AFCFT funding COBSEO
8 Bryony Crump Exmouth Post Box Topper Exmouth Journal; Yahoo Sport
8/9 Paul Adey Falklands Wreath Laying BBC Radio Gloucester; BBC Points West TV
10/23/27/28 Mission Spiritus Antarctica COBSEO; Camarthenshire News Online; Forces.net; BFBS Radio
17 Guildhall Dinner COBSEO
19 Barnes Rugby Remembrance Fundraiser The Rugby Paper