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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.
From the north of Scotland to the south of England, there is lots to check out this week – and lots, too, to bid on in our upcoming Charity Auction; our teams have been out and around ‘getting the gen’ with some of our many valued partners; as always, there is plenty of feedback from inspirational fundraisers – and last but not least, we wrap up with this week’s Shopping Corner!
Thank you for your continued support.
Standing together

Last weekend, RMA – The Royal Marines Charity’s Chief Executive, Ben Curry (pictured above top left), joined the Royal Marines Family gathered at the iconic Spean Bridge Commando Memorial near Achnacarry Castle in Scotland.
Thank you to everyone who turned out for the annual commemoration, this year marking the Corps’ 359th birthday.
Once A Marine, Always A Marine.
Let the bidding begin!

Ahead of our annual Guildhall Dinner on Wednesday 8th November, we are offering you the opportunity to bid on some of the once- in-a-lifetime items. that will be up for auction.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have 80+ lots on offer. These include: a Commando Experience in the Scottish Highlands for 10 people; private tour of the Churchill War Rooms with Curator Kate Clements; dinner and cocktails in Mosimanns at Harrods; a weekend stay for two at Hotel Le Morgane, Chamonix; and many, many more. Do take a look, see what takes your fancy – and start bidding!
The Silent Auction runs in real time, so even if you’re not there on the night, you can still take part and keep bidding right up until the time bidding closes.
Whilst the Live Auction will take place in the room on the night, you can still take part in this, too. If you would like to bid on something, please send your best bids, no later than 6th November, to [email protected] and we will bid on your behalf, up to your highest amount.
Needless to say, all money raised from the auction will go towards offering lifelong support to the Royal Marines Family.

RMA-The Royal Marines Charity has received £95,330 from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust through its Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities fund to offer transition support to Long Service Leavers.
The three-year project will be overseen by our Employment and Education Team and aim to provide bespoke, sustained support to Royal Marines who are transitioning out of the Corps having completed 22 years’ service.
Individualised support will be offered through workshops, 1-1 sessions and a mentorship programme. This will not only equip the beneficiary with the skills and means to attain successful long-term employment and be ‘job ready’ after they have left the Corps, but also provide the emotional support necessary to transition successfully from long-term military service.
Tom Wilson, Director of Development commented: “We are extremely grateful to The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for the financial support to this project for which there is a compelling need.”
Out and around – in Scotland…..

During a ‘fantastic’ visit to Lady Haigh’s Poppy Scotland factory in Edinburgh that was both ‘inspiring and informative’, RMA – The Royal Marines Charity’s Transition Support Officer North (and Scotland, Northern Ireland) Paul ‘Baz’ Barrett, and Welfare & Grants Manager John Reed, heard how its focus is now very much on the new generation and sharing the knowledge of why the poppy is so important to us all.
The sacrifices that were made and the future that we all have is highlighted by two poems which are written on boards along the ceiling, seen as you enter and leave the building (see above).
Baz and John were given a tour of the facilities by one of the 35 military veterans who work at the factory which produces millions of poppies each year, along with poppy wreaths and other RBL/Poppy Scotland merchandise: while John appreciated the opportunity to re-connect ‘face-to-face’ with Poppy Scotland’s grants’ team to gain a further understanding on how things work when the two charities collaborate to support Royal Marine veterans in Scotland.
Both later attended the launch of the annual Poppy Appeal at Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament Building where there was a valuable opportunity to network with the several leading corporates, and other military charities.
Main picture: John (left) with Poppy Scotland Casework Services Manager, Shiela Laramore and Baz
…and in England!

Meanwhile, Zoe Darnbrough, our Head of Employment and Education, attended a reception held by charity partner, HighGround, at the Tower of London where their chairman outlined its new vision and welcomed their incoming CEO, Jamie Crisp.
Guests included the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and representatives from the City Livery Companies including the Drapers, Blacksmiths, Farmers and Gunsmiths, as well as those from a number of other leading military charities, private donors and corporate guests.
HighGround is a charity that helps service leavers, reservists and veterans to work out what military skills and experience they have, how this can help them map into the land-based sector, and how to access the many opportunities it offers for employment and self-employment.
Photo above left to right: The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP; Jamie Crisp, Zoe Darnbrough and Founder of HighGround, Anna Baker Cresswell.
Eleswhere, down on the south coast, Sue Holloway, our Health & Wellbeing Service Development and Casework Manager, was getting acquainted with Bournemouth War Memorial Homes (BWMH). The estate houses veterans and their dependents from all over the UK (with an average age of 45), including eight former Royal Marines. It currently has 59 properties featuring a mix of properties with discounted rents – and a long waiting list.
Summit to celebrate!

Hertfordshire firefighter and former RM Greg Wilson was successful in last week setting a new world endurance record on Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon). He summitted the peak nine times in 48 hours (24th/25th October 2023) whilst carrying 40 lb (18.14kg) on his back, raising over £2,000 for both RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and the Firefighters Charity.
He bagged the record by completing six ascents in the first 24 hours (on his 35th birthday), exceeding the previous record of five ascents in that time, and then pressing on to set a brand-new record for the most ascents in 48 hours.
Greg took the popular Llanberis Path for his Operation Snowdon Ascent challenge and in total travelled 81 miles with a combined height of 8,775m –only 74m shorter than the height of Mount Everest!
He says, “This was an immense challenge, but I really wanted to inspire my daughter about hard work and pushing your limits. We were very lucky with the weather, there was a great atmosphere on the mountain with people kindly cheering each summit and I am very proud of this achievement and the money raised.
As both a firefighter and former Royal Marines Commando, I know the immense pressure and physical toll of these jobs. Both services are like a family with great camaraderie, but the roles are incredibly demanding and these two charities offer invaluable help to the workers.”
Hoofing effort – and enormous thanks.
Mission Critical

Earlier this year former Royal Marine Jim Morris, our Transition Support Officer South (and Wales), was diagnosed with bowel cancer – however, there is good news, and he says: ‘”I was treated by the NHS who were superb, my treatment is now over, and all the cancer has gone.”
Not one to ever sit back on his laurels, Jim is back at work and riding his bike again.
Now, inspired by the Charity’s Mission Critical campaign, and to raise funds to support any Royal Marine family who is struggling with a cancer diagnosis, he has committed to riding 1,664 miles by 21st December 2023.
Jim lives in Tavistock on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, so his rides cannot fail but incorporate some of the area’s notoriously lengthy and gruelling hill climbs. Awesome grit and determination.
10 out of 12!

A huge well done to fantastic fundraiser, Heather Crawford, for having completed her 10th Ultra run as part of her awesome resolve to complete 12 Ultra marathons in 12 months in 12 different locations – and fundraise for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Heather has chosen to run each Ultra marathon in a place that has a special connection to the Royal Marines – a location, landmark or event that is symbolic to the Corps – this time choosing to finish at the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge.
Stepping up

Very many thanks to all our wonderful supporters (and their ‘best friends’) from Alder King property consultants in Exeter who last month raised £567.50 (with GiftAid) for us from their Coast and Countryside Walk between Beer and Branscombe in Devon. We are honoured to have been chosen as their Charity of the Year.
Shopping Corner

Time to start wrapping up for winter – or for Christmas!
These eye-catching reversible scarves in RM Corps Colours are just the ticket – and if you buy one with a matching bobble-hat and gloves, you’ll save £5 on the overall cost.
The Royal Marines 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 also available for sale online.
In the news last month…

In the news last month…
2nd/5th October Local MP visit to CHAMP Building East Devon News; Express & Echo
13th Ben Lukowski trike grant COBSEO
15th Great South Run ITVX News Meridian
20th Aldo Kane Charity Ambassador COBSEO
27th – 31st Greg Wilson Operation Snowdon Ascent BBC Radio Wales; London Post; Third Sector; News from Wales; North Wales Chronicle; The Firefighters Charity; UK Fundraising