Edition 53
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.
This week, we’re excited to introduce you to our new CEO; invite you to share with us the legacy left behind by outgoing Chief Exec, Jonathan Ball; we join in saluting all our Armed Forces and highlight yet more wonderful fundraising.
Thank you so much for your continued and most valued support.
Appointment of new CEO

Ben Curry MBE has been appointed by the Charity’s Board of Trustees as our new Chief Executive Officer, assuming the role on 3rd July, 2023.
Ben served in the Royal Marines for 23 years and brings over three decades of experience of leadership in the UK military and New Zealand agriculture sector. He was awarded the MBE in 2002 for his diligent work in the planning of several UK humanitarian operations in Africa.
On leaving the Corps in 2007, Ben emigrated with his family to New Zealand where he was the first CEO of the largest private water company in the country, returning to the UK in 2020.
RMA -The Royal Marines Charity Chair, Lynn Fordham, said: “The Board and Trustees are thrilled to be welcoming Ben to the role of CEO. He brings with him a wealth of experience gained as a serving Royal Marine and more recently in the commercial world. This combination of skills and experience will ensure the successful delivery of the Charity’s future strategy”.
Commenting on his appointment, Ben said: “I am honoured to be back working with the Corps Family. RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is the Corps own Charity and it has delivered staggering support to the Royal Marines family over the years. I am looking forward to getting stuck in and playing my part in the future success of this wonderful organisation.”
Ben replaces outgoing CEO, Jonathan Ball OBE, who left the Charity on 16th June to take up a position with Greenwich Hospital as Director of Grants. He leaves behind an awesome legacy which you can read about here. We will miss him and wish him and his wife, Jane, all the very best.
Armed Forces Week

This week is Armed Forces Week, giving us all the chance to show our support and say thank you to all the men and women from our Armed Forces Community – those currently serving, Service families, veterans and cadets. There are numerous events being held across the country, both physical and virtual. You can check here to see if there’s one near you.
And today – Wednesday June 21st – is dedicated to UK Reservists. The Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of our Armed Forces personnel and, as such, are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas.
Like the regular Royal Marines Commandos, RM Reservists are trained to operate in any location, environment and terrain. They’re specialists in mountain and extreme cold-weather warfare, trained in climbing, skiing and mountaineering.
We thank them all for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to serving our country.
Framing the future

Danny Egan, our Director of Health & Wellbeing, has attended the ASDIC (Association of Service Drop-in Centres) conference where he ran a workshop on the proposed Common Assessment Framework project. He is leading this as part of the Transformational Grants awards from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
He said: “This was an excellent engagement opportunity with members of ASDIC from across the UK, all of which are essential in leading consensus and success of this project. It was an inspiring couple of days spent with people who really want to collaborate, learn and share – and the passion and drive to this end was palpable.
ASDIC members’ local knowledge and skills make them an essential asset to accessing support and we look forward to a continued and strengthening relationship with the organisation and its members.”
Remembrance walk

Graham Dorman was joined by his nephew for the long walk from the Cenotaph in central London to Sallenells in France to honour his uncle who was in 48Cdo on D Day.
They started walking on 2nd June and finished, as planned, just four days later having walked to Southampton, taken the ferry to Caen, walking on to Juno beach and the town of Langrune, which was liberated by 48Cdo, and then over the Orne River to their final destination at Ranville where they laid a wreath on their uncle’s grave, at the same time remembering, too, “all Marines who have suffered in all theatres of conflict recent and past”.
Absolutely hoofing effort – and Graham raised a magnificent £2,193.90 (inc Gift Aid) for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity – huge thanks to them both.
Winning team

Having made a successful bid for the experience at last year’s Guildhall Auction, former serving Royal Marine Jon Coomber, now co-founder and director Mission Mindset, reports that the group that went down to Dartmoor for the ‘Survival Experience’ were extremely enthusiastic.
He said: “They got stuck into each challenge that was presented and each one of them pushed themselves beyond what they perceived as their limit.
For example, at least two had an acute fear of heights, yet at each activity they embraced the challenge rather than just refusing or giving up and incrementally went slightly further or higher each time. All of them learned a lot about themselves, but also one another; they were a tight and supportive group at the start, but by the end were a strong team.”
Diary dates – Devon

Diary dates – Devon
There’s lots going on in and around Plymouth in support of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity over the next few days – we hope to see some of you there!
Thursday 22nd June 2023
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is jointly supporting the Rehabilitation Triathlon 2023 hosted by the Hasler Naval Service Recovery Centre at Plymouth Hoe. Alongside the fantastic athletes, there will be musical performances from local schools, followed by an award ceremony.
Saturday 24th June 2023
When she enters the gates of RM Stonehouse in Plymouth on Armed Forces Day, Heather Crawford will be celebrating the half-way point of the 12 Ultra marathons in 12 months she is running to raise £12,000 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Heather has planned each Ultra marathon in a place that has a special connection to the Royal Marines, honouring a location, landmark or event that is in some way symbolic to the Corps. These have included RM Chivenor; the Commandos’ favoured yomping grounds of Dartmoor and Woodbury Common; running from Aboyne to Arbroath in Scotland; and, this weekend, she will start her sixth Ultra marathon on Dartmoor for the long run down into Plymouth.
To date, Heather has received enthusiastic support along the way from Serving and former Royal Marines as well as the RMA Riders’ motorcycle Branch that come out in force to escort her on busier parts of the runs. Good luck, Heather – you’re an amazing inspiration!

Following engagement with relevant interest groups, the Veterans Trauma Network (VTN) has been re-named Op RESTORE, the Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service.
This brings the service in line with other Armed Forces healthcare services provided by the NHS in England, helping to build a recognisable suite of services that also includes Op COURAGE, the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service; Op NOVA, Supporting Veterans in the Justice System and, most recently, Op COMMUNITY, the Armed Forces Community Support,
Op RESTORE is a service for anyone who has served at least one day in the UK Armed Forces and, as a result of their service, acquired a significant, lasting physical illness or injury. It uses a network of both civilian and military consultants, along with welfare support from military charities, to support a veteran’s health using a holistic approach.