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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.
Our first newsletter of 2024 is full of positivity including congratulations galore in recognising some magnificent achievements and endeavours; and an exciting heads-up for heavy metal fans!
Thank you for your continued support.
King honours shooting star
We were thrilled to hear that fundraiser extraordinaire, Elaine Barnwell from Aberdeenshire has been awarded the British Empire Medal for charitable services in HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2024.
Ben Curry, Chief Executive RMA – The Royal Marines Charity said: “Our hearty congratulations to Elaine for this most well-deserved honour. Her commitment and stalwart passion over many years in supporting the Royal Marines Family has been absolutely incredible and we couldn’t be more delighted that her service has been rightly recognised.
She continues to be the driving force behind the annual Royal Marines Commando Browning Charity Clay Shoot which she organises alongside her husband, Barry. The event raises substantial funds, helping the Charity offer lifelong support to the Royal Marines Family.
Elaine is an exceptional inspiration to us all and truly embodies the Commando Mindset in all that she does so we couldn’t have been more thrilled to hear she has received a BEM – what a great way to start the New Year!”
Iconic Iron Maiden drummer to rock MFM!
Audiences at this year’s 52nd Mountbatten Festival of Music (MFM) at the Royal Albert Hall in March are in for an extra special treat when global drumming icon of Iron Maiden fame, Nicko McBrain, takes to the stage to join The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines.
The heavy metal musician is a household name and will be part of the three concerts that will offer fans a once-in-a lifetime experience during the evening concert on Friday 8th March; and the matinee and evening shows on Saturday 9th March 2024.
Commenting on what might seem an unlikely combination of talents, Nicko says: “ It is such an honour to be invited to perform with the Massed Bands of the Royal Marines at the 2024 Mountbatten Festival of Music. I feel so humbled to be a part of this fantastic event. I look forward to seeing you all at the Royal Albert Hall in March to enjoy rockin’ out to some Maiden ditties, along with a few fantastic surprises!”
With this exciting news and some 80% of tickets already sold, those wanting to grab some of the remaining seats are advised to book now to avoid missing out! The concerts are in aid of Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities and the Young Lives vs Cancer Charity.
Photo: John McMurturie
Making a splash down under
Huge belated congratulations to our own wonderful Charity Ambassador, former Royal Marine Jon White, who last month won both an SS-1 and SS-2 gold medals in the 2023 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Perth, Australia.
Paddle Australia reports that it was not only his medal success that was such an achievement but also Jon’s chance as a triple amputee ‘to feel part of the international Ocean Racing community and race against the best in the sport that far outweighed any athletic performance’.
They reported: ‘“The thing I love about this sport is that you are literally on the line with the best in the world. It doesn’t matter age, sex, disability or anything like that, we’re just all there together having a great time,” White said.
There’s not many para athletes that compete in Ocean Racing, so you do benchmark yourself and where you are in the field against the able body athletes.” ‘
Mission Spiritus Antarctica update
The awesome Mission Spiritus Antarctica team – former Royal Marines Alan Chambers MBE and Dave Thomas – have been making excellent progress over Christmas and New Year as they head ever closer to the geographic South Pole (even finding time to do some impressive ice-carving – see above!).
They have been keeping in close touch with those back home, and the Royal Marines Family has been sending support and encouragement, too, through personal calls and messages that have included those from the Commandant General Royal Marines General Gwyn Jenkins, Charity Ambassador Aldo Kane, and Honorary Colonel to the Royal Marines, Bear Grylls. The British Forces Broadcasting Service has also been keeping close tabs on them – you can listen to the lads’ Christmas morning interview via the button below and read more detail about their current progress.
To date, they have raised over £6,000 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity via the Mission Spiritus Antarctica JustGiving page.
Mission accomplished!
“12 Ultras in 12 Months for £12k – what was I thinking? There were times when I thought I was a little crazy and a very small amount of time when I wondered why I was putting myself through it….”
We are so grateful to the fabulous Heather Crawford who, having completed the 12th and final run of her daunting year-long challenge in December, has raised a whopping £3,860.30 (inc Gift Aid) for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
“I can’t quite believe it’s over,” she said. “My fabulous family and friends – thank you all so much for support, cheerleading and belief. Thank you to everyone for the donations – every penny makes a huge difference.”
Heather ran an Ultra-length marathon every month during 2023, each one at a place associated to the Royal Marines. We applaud her for her incredible tenacity and determination in completing this epic challenge.
There is still time to support her on her fundraising page here.
2023 Royal Marine of the Year
Our congratulations go, too, to Corporal Jack Crawford who received the 2023 Royal Marine of the Year Award for embodying what it means to serve in the Corps. The citation was presented to him by General Gwyn Jenkins, Commandant General of the Royal Marines, at the Ministry of Defence’s HQ in London.
Cpl Crawford has been a Royal Marine for 10 years and is currently serving with 353 Troop Training Team at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone.
Shopping Corner
Dryrobes have reportedly become essential daywear for A-list celebs, so why not join the ‘in-crowd this year, too?!
In Corps Colours, this versatile custom-designed RMA – The Royal Marines Charity EKOSY® will make you stand out from the crowd. It offers protection from the elements with its fluffy fleece lining, storm flap, deep pockets and branded press studs. No matter the activity, whether it’s extreme sports, swimming, or just a walk with your dog, the EKOSY® has got you covered.
And the EKOSY® is not just for outdoor use – you can also wear it around the house on chilly mornings – or for a cozy sofa day!
Available exclusively from the Royal Marines Shop that is wholly owned by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, all profits come back to the Charity to help support the Corps Family.