Edition 108
This month, the latest Impact Report for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity has been released. Additionally, 60 courageous individuals undertook this year’s Commando Training Challenge, and the #26ForSoph campaign has successfully exceeded its target.
Thank you as always for your valued support.
News Update
The newly appointed CEO of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, Matt Jackson DSO introduces the latest Impact Report. “I am both humbled and inspired by the incredible work this charity has accomplished, having delivered over 3.6 million in support to the Royal Marines family over the past year. This impact reflects out unwavering commitment to those who have served, their families, and our wider community.
As a former Royal Marines, I know the unique challenges faced by our serving personnel, veterans, and their loved ones. I am proud to now lead a charity that plays such a vital role in providing the support needed to overcome these challenges – whether it’s delivering financial assistance, mental health resources, or helping individuals transition to new careers.
The bond we share within the Royal Marines family is unlike any other, and it is our mission to ensure that bond remains strong, particularly in times of need.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our donors, partners, and supporters, whose generosity has made this vital work possible. Your commitment ensures that we can continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of those who have given so much.
As I step into this new role, I look forward to building on the charity’s success and exploring new ways to enhance our support for the Royal Marines family.
Together, we will continue to uphold the values of excellence, integrity, self-discipline and humility that define us.
Thank you for your ongoing support and belief in our mission.”
The Commando Training Challenge
Last week, the Commando Training Challenge took place. We saw 60 brave individuals dig deep and embody the Commando spirit as they stepped into the world of the Royal Marines and took on the Endurance course on Woodbury Common, followed by the Bottom Field at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM).
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is honoured to have been supported by participants to achieve personal goals, with some overcoming fears of claustrophobia, full body-water submersions, and heights to complete the challenge. Every single participant went above and beyond and used the challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, with some learning how to swim, get fit, and even shatter fundraising targets. Amongst the participants were Royal Marine veterans, prospective Royal Marines, serving family members, lads and dad’s duos, fitness and corporate teams, just to name a few, as well as RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Trustee Ian Cohen.
Mum of a Royal Marine in training, Zoe decided to push herself and participate in this year’s Commando Training Challenge to gain a better understanding of her son’s experience of training. She said, “After all these weeks of dreading it and wondering what on earth I was doing, I had the absolute best time and am so sad it’s all over!
I have never taken part in anything like this. When my boys were little, we did a run, and I’ve done the obligatory Race for Life, but nothing to this extent. Even sitting in the Gordon Messenger Centre, I wondered if I was going to duck out. But I remembered the video you linked on the page for the challenge, and it told us to display the values of the Marines, so I stuck in and honestly had the best day.
From you guys organising it, the instructors, their humour, patience, and professionalism, the photographers, spectators, and most of all, the other participants. Everyone there contributed to such a brilliant experience. I was sad to not be able to take part in much of the bottom field due to a shoulder injury, but you have made me more determined than ever to accelerate my recovery, and I will be back next year, and I will complete the bottom field!! I will!!
I feel the biggest challenge was coming alone and not knowing anyone, especially when I did the sheep dip. I was such a massive personal achievement that it would have been so lovely to have had a familiar face to celebrate that with. But the others were all so lovely and encouraging, it really did help, that camaraderie the recruits must feel when they’re all down there alone, must be second to none.”
If you would like to find out more about next year’s Commando Training Challenge, email [email protected]
#26ForSoph
Sophie Ward joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 2020 and served as a flute and saxophone player in the Collingwood Band. She met her husband, Rich, in training and they married in April 2023. Following concerns about her health last year, and some lengthy investigations, Sophie was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in January 2024, at age 26.
Since July, the Royal Marines Band and other members of the Corps family have come together in support of Sophie and have undertaken a variety of challenges to raise funds for Dorothy House Hospice Care, Motor Neurone Disease Association and RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Recently, the #26ForSoph team have more than doubled their fundraising target of £26,000! Previous challenges include running 2.6 miles every hour for 26 hours, to drawing 26 caricatures for 26 days, and earlier this week, the Collingwood Corps of Drums, played the drums and marched around HMS Collingwood continuously for 26 hours. BZ to those who participated and drummed through the night.
With many more exciting challenges taking place over the next couple of weeks from 80’s aerobics, to yoga, and the Hasler company completing ’26 Somethings’- bike, run swim, triathlon and biathlon, there is still time to get involved with your own fundraising challenge or support the teams behind #26ForSoph.
Harvey’s Story
Harvey’s career as a Royal Marines Officer was cut short due to an injury in training, which lead to him being medically discharged. After losing his dream career, Harvey also found he was missing the direction and camaraderie the Corps provided.
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity facilitated for Harvey to participate in the life-changing veteran programme onboard a 72-foot yacht with CatZero. The programme is specially designed to provide veterans with the skills and friendships to help transition from the military to civvy street in a hands-on environment.
Harvey said, “This experience proved to me that I am good enough, it was like YO training in the sense that I was being pushed to my edges in an environment that I am not familiar with. Something I have missed in civilian life.”
RAND Research Project
Are you a member of the Royal Navy or Royal Marines community? Take part in new research to help support serving and former-serving RN and RM families.
Greenwich Hospital and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund are conducting a joint research project to understand the support needs of current and former RN and RM personnel and their families.
RAND Europe is conducting the research, which will help improve future support to RN and RM families, and are seeking participants for a survey and research interviews.
If you are a serving/former serving member of the RN, or RM, or their partner/spouse, your insights are valuable. RAND Europe invites you to complete an online survey (20-30 minutes) or participate in a research interview (up to 1 hour) to share your views and experiences. Participation is voluntary and anonymous, and participants can enter a prize draw to win up to £250.
RAND Europe is a not-for-profit research institute focused on evidence-based policy improvement.
Upcoming Employment & Education Events
The Employment & Education (E&E) team work hard to facilitate employment opportunities. This week, the jobs board features many new exciting roles including Fire Health & Safety Advisor, Housing Support Worker With Armed Forces Support and Security Supervisor IWM Lambeth Road.
As well as advertising opportunities our Education & Employment team offer CV guidance and interview techniques as part of our service. Online tutorials are also available for CV preparation and interviews. The E&E team provides free impartial advice regarding the vacancies advertised on our site. If you’re interested in applying for any of these roles, please email the team on [email protected] or call 023 9298 1920.
Bootnecks In2 Business
Bootnecks in2 Business (Bi2B) provides a catalyst for Royal Marines talent to meet informally, translate their experiences, and find genuine opportunities to further their business aspiration or directly secure employment.
Register to attend the Bi2B face-to-face networking event in the City of London on 12th December.
