Edition 23
This week, we are again reminded of the amazing work and fundraising that takes place year-round on behalf of our Royal Marines Family, a trio of our valued volunteers receive a rich reward – and there are some select half marathon places up for grabs!
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We remember ….
During this week of Remembrance, it is a time when all those involved in so many special ways with RMA – The Royal Marines Charity are especially mindful of remembering just why our proud Royal Marines Family is so deserving of the lifelong support made possible through your most generous and ongoing support. Thank you.
‘You have been a great support to me in my darkest hours. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Last month, our Health and Wellbeing team processed 82 welfare and benevolence grants totalling over £74,500, four to various partner organisations towards RMA-The Royal Marines Charity winter deployment Chamonix 2023 expedition, 65 Degrees North climbing expedition and two former RMs attending ‘Wilderness Solutions’.
There were also 11 grants awarded to Serving personnel including those for mental health and debt support, supply of a new cooker, and travel costs towards a compassionate visit home: and 67 grants to the Veteran community – to a beneficiary suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) needing a daylight lamp; housing, accommodation and debt assistance for those dealing with the impact of relationship and multiple health issues; to a family facing future life-changing challenges due to a partner’s terminal cancer diagnosis, and a bathroom adaptation for a stroke victim who also has several other disabilities and health issues to contend with.
Our Membership team supported 18 funerals….and our Employment & Education team helped 49 Serving and Veteran RMs including offering career advice and guidance, CV support, signposting and providing links to potential employers, as well as approving a grant for a beneficiary to take an electrician’s course.
Surprise reunion
When veteran Royal Marine, Martyn Evans (pictured middle) attended the recent two-day training course organised by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity for its valued Support Volunteers (RMASV), the last thing he expected was what then happened.
Because also on the course were two of the 100-plus RM Recruits he had taken through training during his time at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone – 39 years ago.
Martyn, together with John Stokes (left) and Neil Flower (right), were last together when Kings Squad 285 Troop passed out for duty in 1983, all going on to have long and successful careers in the Royal Marines.
Martyn said, “It’s really great to be back in contact,” then quipping: “Although I didn’t at first recognise them, they both remembered me – not surprising as recruits never seem to forget the person who put them through training!”
Neil voiced how good it was to meet up with former colleagues especially now he’s retired and plans to concentrate spending his time with the RMA as a Support Volunteer; with John adding: “Having left the Corps in 2005, it was quite a shock to meet both Martyn and Neil – in fact the whole course was a bit of a reunion as I found that I had served with most of the instructors at some time during my 22 years in the Corps. It just goes to show what a small family the Royal Marines really is.”
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Director of Health & Wellbeing, Danny Egan commented that the surprise reunion was an added bonus to the day. “We are humbled by those former RM’s wanting to give back, many with over 35 years of service under their belt and feel privileged to have them as part of our team.”
RMASV’s play a hugely valuable role out and about across the UK, being the eyes and ears of the Health & Wellbeing team, supporting and signposting the most vulnerable members of our RM family.
Charity scores from rugby success
We are extremely thankful for the ongoing support received from the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, which recently presented us with a cheque for £2,162. Our Community Fundraising team (5th & 6th from right) was delighted to go along to the rugby ground to collect this generous share of last season’s bucket collections that were the most successful yet.
Peaks of resilience
Two extraordinary Royal Marine Veterans and their partners, supported by a team of trekkers and sherpas, are on the fundraising trek of a lifetime in Nepal, tackling the legendary high-altitude trails of the Himalayas among the foothills of Mount Everest.
The adventure is particularly special as both of the Resilience 22 Team Veterans are physically challenged following significant injuries sustained in recent years.
Two days in, the group had already completed the gruelling, undulating trail between Lukla and Monjo.
Team captain, Paul Mattin, reports: “Mark and Matt are smashing it. I don’t think I’ve seen determination and gnarliness on this level before. Both of these hoofing lads carry notable physical challenges, but through their incredible physical and mental capacities, they’re flattening the terrain and owning the miles. It is an immense privilege to be sharing this experience with them.
The whole team is progressing well, and morale, banter and spirit is fast reaching level ten.”
Fabulous fundraising
Enormous thanks to RMA Members Cath Green and Russ Humphreys (pictured above left) who hosted a black-tie charity dinner and auction at the Wrightington Country Club Hotel & Spa in Lancashire to raise vital funds for RMA The Royal Marines Charity. The evening was well attended by veterans, families and supporters and we’d like to thank everyone involved in delivering such a fantastic event which raised in excess of an awesome £3,600!
In Wolverhampton, Rebecca Rickerby and her husband Dean, a RM Veteran, held the second of a series of five charity fundraisers in support of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity – a Murder Mystery evening. They’ve already raised £680 and are not even half-way through! Fabulous – thank you to everyone who has supported them so far.
We would also like to send a huge thank you to all the wonderfully talented bakers throughout the UK who took part in our Cakes 4 Commandos sales to celebrate the Corps Birthday on 28th October. What great support – the delicious goodies at CTC (pictured above) sold like hot cakes and raised several hundred pounds, and there’s more in the pipeline currently being counted!