Edition 50

As a valued supporter, we are pleased to bring you up-to-speed with a weekly round-up of activities from RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and the wider Corps Family.

We are delighted to bring you the 50th edition of our newsletter that each week allows us to share with you some of the many uplifting stories and news of what has been going on in and around, and on behalf of our Charity, over the past seven days. 

Thank you so much for your continued support.

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Veterans Games in full swing

RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is supporting 14 beneficiaries and their families and has accompanied them to Israel having nominated them to participate in the 2023 Veteran Games currently being held in Tel Aviv (27th May – 2nd June). Some of those attending are pictured above with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP.

The event recognises the role played by sport and family in supporting the ongoing recovery of veterans who have suffered physical and psychological challenges as a result of serving their country.

Over the five days of competition, those former serving Royal Marines taking part will compete in a variety of sports against veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces and their Israeli counterparts.

Veteran Games’ CEO and former serving Royal Marine, Andrew Garland, said: “It’s wonderful to again be bringing together so many inspirational people. For some who have taken part, these Games were the first time they have travelled abroad since being injured, or the first time they socialised with fellow veterans for many years, or simply the first time they’ve experienced a family holiday since their lives changed forever.”

Indeed, former serving Royal Marine, Joe Winch – who co-presents RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Commando Mindset Training programme, is just one. Joe was medically discharged after being diagnosed with complex PTSD and has said his involvement in last year’s Veterans Games was ‘transformational’.

We wish all this year’s competitors every success and look forward to sharing some of their experiences with you next week.

More than a stroll in the park

The epic ‘Since 1664′ Yomp took place last weekend and, with the final total still being tallied, looks like our intrepid yompers will have raised around £5,000 for our charity, which is just incredible! 

Now in its tenth year, the event is an endurance challenge across the entire South Downs National Park, all the way from Hampshire to East Sussex. Of epic proportions, the climb (and descent) is the equivalent of 40% of Mount Everest – but over 100 miles and in 36 hours!

Our fundraising team supported with the marshalling and “felt humbled to be a part of such an amazing team of people taking on and putting on this challenge.”

Huge well done to everyone who took part – including the walker who had to withdraw after 17.5 hours and smashing 50 miles (but already planning to go the full distance next year) – and, of course, to all the full distance finishers –a huge accomplishment that fewer than 100 people have yet managed.

Pictured above (clockwise) being presented with their medals by hard-working organiser and former serving Royal Marine Robin Hollington – and with times ranging from 34.5 hours to 38.5 hours – we especially applaud Mike Willerton (who finished strongly despite having had a nasty fall at mile 99); Simon Mayo; Al Golding; Nicola Harrison; Tim Mitchell, and Archie Sherlock (not pictured). What amazing tenacity – an awesome achievement all round. Humungous thanks to them all! 

Yet another Ultra weekend

Many congratulations and huge thanks too, to fabulous fundraiser, Heather Crawford, who last Friday ran approximately 50 miles on an Ultra marathon-length route from Aboyne in Scotland that included a long uphill section to the top of the 1,473ft Cairn O’ Mount before descending down into Angus for the run into RM Condor, near Arbroath.

She received enthusiastic support along the way from East Of Scotland RMA members and the RMA Riders’ motorcycle Branch who escorted her through some of the busier parts of the journey.

Heather is attempting to complete 12 Ultra Marathon-length runs in 12 months to raise funds for our Charity – this being her fifth. She has planned each one in a place which has a special connection to the Royal Marines, honouring a location, landmark or event that is in some way symbolic to the Corps.

Photographs by Wallace Ferrier (PHOT)

Fifth plaque for iconic heritage trail

Over 40 project friends and supporters including former serving Royal Marines, The Commando Association and Royal Marine Riders (motorcycles) gathered at Birkhill near Dundee to attend an unveiling of the fifth plaque on the ‘Scott Sutherland Commando Heritage Trail’.

It is located at the cottage that was the Sutherland family home for eight years, during which time Sutherland won the competition to create the iconic Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. 

The creation of the Heritage Trail in his honour is a project led by Steve Nicol to keep Sutherland’s name alive and ensure that the contribution made by this remarkable sculptor to the enduring memory of the public and all Commando ranks is commemorated with gratitude.

Paul ‘Baz’ Barrett, RMA – The Royal Marines Charity’s Transition Support Officer North (and Scotland, Northern Ireland) (pictured middle) unveiled the plaque.

In thanking all those involved, Baz said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to be asked to unveil the fifth plaque at Scott’s family home where he designed and created the aspiration for the monument we see today. It made me think of all those homes where all Commandos initially had their first thoughts and aspirations to become a RM/Army/Navy Commando and how then they have always paid homage with a visit to their spiritual home where the infamous monument now stands.”

The plaque was sponsored by RM Jim Gogan, and Mr & Mrs Graeme & Lynne Ogg whose generosity was also a romantic gesture – the Commando Memorial being where Graeme proposed to Lynne.

The Scott Sutherland Heritage Trail project committee is now turning its attention to the next phase, the ‘Lost Statue’. 

Photos courtesy of Wallace Ferrier (PHOT)

Never forgotten

On Friday (2nd June), the wonderful Magnificent 7 Team is re-uniting for their anniversary yomp to remember the 42 Cdo Magnificent Seven the seven Serving Royal Marines from 42 Commando who tragically lost their lives in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 14 in 2011, and which impacted many others to this day with the life-changing injuries sustained.

This yomp also raises funds to support RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, and has taken place each year since 2012, serving to bring together families, friends, and comrades of the Magnificent 7.

To support Team Mag7 and to donate if you are able, please visit here. 

Having played significant roles in the pageantry and splendour of the Coronation procession and Coronation Concert, the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines – including the world-famous Corps of Drums – are looking forward to their first-ever Band Tour of six UK cities in September.

With tickets already selling out fast, regional audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy this musical spectacular on the scale only ever before seen at the Massed Bands’ annual sold-out performances at the Mountbatten Festival of Music in London’s Royal Albert Hall.