Edition 36
This week, read the story of a former Band member and how the Charity’s work can help those who face compulsory medical discharge; we branch out with a new monthly focus; and you can see how your favourite pooch can become the talk of the town!
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Scaling new heights
February triggers poignant memories for Becky, a former member of HM The Royal Marines Band Service. Even though she now has a hugely successful career with one of the UK’s leading construction and engineering companies, she will never forget the day many years ago when her promising and much-cherished career in the Royal Marines came to an end.
As she set out on that dull and grey February morning, she had no idea just how much her life was about to be turned upside down – and just what a large part RMA – The Royal Marines Charity was to have in helping her along the path to a bright new future.
She says: “Without the support of the RMA, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I cannot thank them enough for the help they gave me to transition so successfully – and happily – into civilian life.”
Royal Marines Association membership is spread across 95 active Branches worldwide, each of which is unique and provides lots of opportunity for camaraderie throughout the Corps Family. We hope that this new Branch Focus will help to inspire and encourage even more of our supporters to join the Royal Marines Association.
This month, it’s top Marks for the Sheffield Branch!
Any Royal Marines’ veteran who lived in and around Sheffield and who felt like meeting up with a few of their fellow Bootnecks prior to December 2018 had no option but to take a round-trip of about 50 miles to reach the nearest RMA Branch to the north of England city.
So two veteran RMs named Mark decided to open one nearer to home. Read their story via the button below
Don’t miss out on Massed Bands’ music spectacular
The Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines return to the Royal Albert Hall in London next month, with three concerts on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th March that will showcase the outstanding versatility of some of the world’s finest military musicians.
If you still haven’t bought your tickets to The Mountbatten Festival of Music 2023, then Friday 10th March is your best bet as there is limited availability across the two Saturday performances.
Audiences never fail to be wowed by the incredible musicianship, colourful pageantry and spectacular lighting effects of these much-anticipated concerts. The programme features a wide range of musical styles including music from the big screen and superb solo items, alongside the traditional marches and overtures that have proved such a hit with audiences over the years.
The concerts raise funds for Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities and you can purchase your tickets now by calling (+44) (0)20 7589 8212 or visiting the link below.
Better by the dozen!
We were thrilled to hear that Heather Crawford last weekend completed the second of the 12 ultra-marathon distances she plans to take on each month throughout the year, with the aim to raise a whopping £12,000 for our Charity.
Heather has chosen to run at significant locations with symbolic landmarks linked to the Royal Marines, and this time it was the turn of Woodbury Common, site of the RM training ground and part of the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines based at nearby Lympstone in Devon. There, she completed 26.67-miles in just over seven and a quarter hours!
Heather is a huge supporter of the Charity and volunteers regularly at events. Those taking time out to run at least part of the distance with her have, to date, included Membership Operations Director (West) Phil Gilby; and Baz Gray and Lee Spencer – all of them being RM veterans.
Thank you so much for your amazing dedication – we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way, Heather.
Band thrills German audience
We’d like to send rousing thanks to Major Jack Duckitt, Officer Commanding, Naval Outdoor Centre Germany (NOCG) for organising a superb band concert during a visit by HM Band of the Royal Marines to NOCG in Bad Hindelang, Germany. The free band concert was enthusiastically received by the local community and raised €2,300 from voluntary contributions. This will be shared between RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and a local charity.
This is the second concert that has taken place at NOCG and we are so grateful for this continued support.
Gone to the dogs!
The Royal Marines Shop has launched a fantastic new range of ‘Commando Canine’ products such as this smart, eye-catching jacket and enticing food bowl to serve up the perfect dog’s dinner!
The shop – located in Plymouth – is wholly owned by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and all profits come back to the Charity to help support the Corps Family.
The small team sources, designs, develops and fulfils a fantastically wide range of Corps branded products that are all available for sale online.