Forty-three ‘wannabe’ Royal Marines Commandos turned up to be well and truly put through their paces by a Royal Marines’ PTI (Physical Training Instructors) team at this year’s sold-out Commando Training Challenge at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines. At the same time as ticking off this extreme ‘dream challenge’ from their bucket lists, they also raised over £18,000 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Amy Cox from Ivybridge and William Harvey from Lympstone were amongst those from across the country (as well as from Portugal and Belgium) who travelled to Devon for the tough eight-hour challenge, pitting themselves against the infamous Endurance Course on Woodbury Common and the physically demanding Commando Assault Course ‘behind the wire’ on the Marines’ notorious ‘Bottom Field’.
Royal Marines Commandos are an elite element of the UK Armed Forces and this event gave participants the unique opportunity to test their resolve on the Corps’ own demanding training grounds.
A huge thank you and well done to everyone who took part. A special shout out to our generous long-time corporate supporters, Patron Capital, who entered the largest squad of the day and raised almost £4,500!
Congratulations and thanks, too, to Lyndsey Egan from Southampton who was the ‘Top Individual Fundraiser’, raising over £1,200, followed closely by Team Patron’s Emilio Cereijo from Barcelona. Well done, also, to ‘Good Egg’ winner and local resident, Will Harvey, who went out of his way to support his fellow participants whenever possible; the ‘Fastest Man’, Rowan Boddington from Cambridgeshire who made it around the Bottom Field in just 2m53s; the ‘Fastest Woman’, Amy Cox from Ivybridge and ‘Fastest Over-40’ from Worcester, Chris Jenkinson. All those taking part received a commemorative medal and certificate to mark their outstanding achievement in having finished and survived the daunting challenge!
We are also indebted to CTCRM PTIs, Ben Clough and Paul Spacagna for putting everyone through their paces with ultimate patience and good humour throughout – and of course, to CTCRM for supporting the Challenge and allowing us such privileged access to their two legendary facilities that made the day such a great success.
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Fundraising Manager, Vicki Drinkwater said: “It was really wonderful to see so many people take part in this year’s Commando Training Challenge. Everyone got stuck in and showed true Commando spirit in their courage and determination to tackle all the physically and mentally gruelling obstacles they came up against – and with a smile on their face, most of the time!
“We would like to thank everyone for their fantastic generosity in raising such a magnificent amount of money that will help fund the vital life-long services offered by the Charity to the entire Royal Marines Family.”
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