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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 share news that includes everything from a bride on the run, horse therapy, a particularly nutty challenge, and quirky world record to welcoming a well-known media personality – and inviting you to join us on a 3 Peaks Challenge!
Thank you as always for your continued support.
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Today, we invite you to join us on our ‘Virtual 3 Peaks Challenge’ by completing the equivalent distance of the National 3 Peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddf (Snowdon) by 21st December, 2023 – a total of just 453 miles!
How you complete your ‘virtual’ fundraising challenge is up to you – you might choose to walk, run, cycle, swim, complete it ‘bit by bit’ individually or as part of a team – it is totally your choice.
Registration is free and you receive access to the virtual map so you can easily keep track of your progress – and keep an eye on how your fellow fundraisers are getting along, too!
Those who finish will receive a Certificate of Completion; and there is also an additional prize for our top fundraiser!
‘Virtual 3 Peaks’ is the first in a series of virtual fundraising challenges in our new ‘Mission Critical’ campaign that we launched last week and that runs through to year-end.
Welcome to a new Ambassador
We are absolutely delighted that popular radio and TV presenter, Paddy O’Connell – especially well-known to the millions who listen to him on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday flagship programme, ‘Broadcasting House’ – has agreed to become one of our Charity Ambassadors.
He also commentated from the funeral of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Coronation of the King and Queen; hosts on BBC Radio 2 and came to fame as the BBC’s Wall Street Anchor during the attacks of 9/11.
Mr O’Connell’s first ‘official’ role will be to compere RMA – The Royal Marines Charity’s prestigious Guildhall Dinner in London in November.
Paddy has strong, long-standing personal links with the Royal Marines family, and has generously given of his time in supporting the Charity over many years.
Commenting on his new role, he said: “As the son of a D-Day Royal Marine Commando, I was overwhelmed to be asked to become an Ambassador for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. It was a no-brainer for me to say ‘yes’ and I am thrilled to accept. I am really very excited to take up such an interesting role and can’t wait to get going.”
World record in the bag!
On Monday morning, at the very tip of England and looking remarkably fresh, our incredible fundraiser Lee Wingate finally achieved his long-held ambition of setting a new world record by being the first person to run unsupported from John O’Groats to Land’s End! And it’s already been validated as the Fastest Known Time for the route!
After the gruelling 25-day, 860-mile challenge during which he battled scorching heat in Scotland; his namesake ‘Storm Lee’; sleepless nights; excruciating blistering and being stopped several times by police including those suspecting him of running away with a baby (and even a wheelbarrow!), his family was there for the emotional and much-awaited reunion.
Lee said: “I had planned really well and was physically and mentally prepared but by far the hardest part of all was missing my family.
And having only ration packs to eat, it was getting more and more difficult running through towns and villages and smelling food like fish and chips and chicken cooking – so I’m really looking forward to eating a sausage sandwich and some cheesy chips now!”
To qualify as being 100 per cent unsupported, Lee had to go it alone from start to finish. No outside help was allowed. He carried everything he needed in the quirky-looking homemade ‘pram’ his family called ‘Frankie’ (after the Frankenstein monster). This included all food and drink and the equipment needed for wild camping and unforeseen breakdowns. In an added challenge, he also had to rely on collecting all the water he needed from natural resources along the way such as rivers and streams.
Lee dedicated his JOGLE challenge to his grandfather, who was a Royal Marines Commando, and has already raised in excess of £3,00 (including gift aid) for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. Huge congratulations and enormous thanks for such a truly awesome achievement.
Please consider giving one last boost to Lee’s fundraising total if you can, via the link below.
These are some of the very powerful words of appreciation received by our Health & Wellbeing team that works closely with Horseback UK (HBUK), regularly sponsoring beneficiaries to attend their personal development courses in Scotland.
Using horsemanship and outdoor activities, HBUK delivers programmes that encourage attendees to acquire new coping strategies, life skills and build lasting resilience.
The unique experience of working with horses, connecting with nature, and being involved in activities based outdoors helps increase confidence and self-esteem, promote a continued sense of belonging and aids veterans in taking positives steps towards continuing physical and/or psychological recovery.
Nutty challenge
Huge kudos to former Royal Marine Ben Reynolds for completing a very different fundraising challenge. He survived walking the 79-mile Great Glen Way in Scotland in just three days, eating only peanut butter while taking all the high route options and wild camping each night.
“I was amazed by how good it was as an energy source – consistent energy throughout,” he said, “but there is zero morale in having peanut butter for your dinner after a long day’s slog!”
A bizarre and wonderfully eccentric challenge – and wow – we are so grateful to him for raising almost £1k for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity at the same time!
A bride – and an Iron Man!
Our thanks and many congratulations go to bride-to-be Kerry Hood, who ran the Scottish Half Marathon this past weekend – and who will shortly be marrying one of the Royal Marines Band Service members! She raised over £500 (jncluding Gift Aid). Hoofin’!
Much further south in Dorset, former Royal Marine Gavin Wilson took part in the UK Half Iron Man in Weymouth. There is an exceptionally powerful story behind what spurred him to fundraise for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Gavin reports the event was especially tough. ” The weather was honking!… the swim had to be cancelled; there were staggered starts for the bike with an hour’s wait stood in our wetsuits. The run was emotional and the whole event consisted of thunderstorms and heavy rain. Managing cramp in my quads due to exposure in the later stages of the bike, and in my calves in the later stages of the run, was the order of the day. I did however cycle all the way up Revel Hill without stopping at the 40-mile mark.”
Gavin finished in 7hrs 11min and we are so grateful to him for raising £420 (including Gift Aid).