Edition 12
This week, our update highlights the importance of strong partnerships and teamwork.
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Working with HighGround
Our Employment and Education team has re-signed an agreement with HighGround in support of the Royal Marines Family.
HighGround is a charity that helps Service Leavers, Reservists and Veterans to work out what military skills and experience they have, how this then maps into the land-based sector, and how to access the many opportunities offered for employment and self-employment.
Keeping it all in the family
Since officially partnering with RMA – The Royal Marines Charity less than a year ago, Arbroath-based IED Training Solutions, has already provided Mental Health First Aid training to over 70 beneficiaries.
Managing director, Ian Clark, is a former Royal Marine with 22 years’ service, the majority of which time was served within 45 Commando RM conducting numerous operational tours.
Both RMA and IED Training have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence for their exemplary commitment to the Armed Forces community.
Rugby hits the beach
Last weekend, the Charity supported the Weston-super-Mare Beach Rugby Festival. The RMA RFC entered three teams and managed to get to the plate final where they were just edged out.
A great time was had by all and huge thanks go to our brilliant volunteers and RMA RFC players and their families. We would also like to thank Wayne and all his team at Concierge for hosting us over the weekend and inviting us to be their charity partners.
Always by your side
‘It’s with the heaviest of hearts the decision has been taken to stop the Triathlon. After successfully summiting Scarfell (sic) yesterday (Thursday 4th August) the wounds on Lee’s stump have become so severe he is unable to physically walk or cycle.’
It was with these words that Lee and his team shared the news on his Facebook page last Friday that, due to an insurmountable injury, he had reluctantly ended his epic Triathlon of Great Britain.
It was decided, however, that the rest of the team, led by Baz, would continue to Ben Nevis and then summit with all who had planned to join. Lee would be in attendance but not take part in the climb.
Lee and his fundraising team and supporters in Team Apogee have together nevertheless already raised a whopping £35,000 for the Charity – this is absolutely tremendous and we thank them all for such a remarkable achievement.
In other fundraising news, a team from M Coy 42 Cdo successfully completed a Static Row and a Swim at Plymouth Hoe and Lido in aid of the Charity and the Cdo80 Challenge series. They had eight hours to complete an 80km swim and a 164km row – they made it, finishing in 7hrs and 37 mins – raising £1,806 for the Charity. What a great result! Thank you all so much.
Winter is coming – but not before Summer is done!
Our Health & Wellbeing team continues to plan for the Summer and Winter Chamonix trips that enable those Veterans on the recovery pathway to engage with adventurous activities in support of their recovery alongside like-minded oppos.
But before the next annual ski therapy visit takes place (you can watch a film of this year’s via the button below), it’s all systems go for the group of 10 beneficiaries who will head off to France at the beginning of September to take part in the Charity’s new summer exped ‘Climb to Recovery’.
The Chamonix Valley offers plenty of opportunity for some great climbing, mountain and road biking action – all under the guidance of expert instructors.
The group will be hosted by former paratrooper, Dan White, who has spent many years converting a barn into beautiful and very comfortable accommodation.