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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 bring you much-awaited news about national D-Day commemorations; unexpected issues faced by some of our amazing fundraisers; and how to keep the Corps close to a loved one’s heart.
Thank you as always for your valued support.
Shock news fails to deter inspiring fundraiser
When we caught up with inspirational former Royal Marine, Jonathan Rees, just before Christmas, he was over a third of the way into his 32-week fundraising ‘Commando Don’t Drink Challenge‘.
“I believe I’m over the hard bit,” he said, as he went on to breeze through Christmas, New Year and a milestone family birthday.
Now. still dry and on week 22, he could not have imagined how quickly all the positive things that had begun to turn his life around just a few weeks’ ago would be put to the ultimate test.
Jonathan explains: “When I thought this whole thing was a breeze and that the benefits would forever deny the temptation to have another drink, two weeks’ ago – at 33 years-old – my wife got diagnosed with cancer – another take away your breath moment.”
As a reminder of Jon’s challenge, he has pledged to go alcohol-free for 32 weeks – the equivalent length of time it takes to train to become a Royal Marine – and raise funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity that supported him financially towards the cost of his own urgent cancer treatment operation that saved his life.
Click on the link below to read how, in his own searingly honest and emotionally moving words, Jonathan is determined to nevertheless battle through, no matter what life throws at him and his family.
D-Day countdown begins
Royal Navy News has reported on the plans announced yesterday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the greatest naval invasion in history.
With 100 days to go to 6th June, D-Day veterans Stan Ford and John Roberts (pictured above) – aged 98 and 99 respectively – were invited to Portsmouth to add their names to a large memorial wall on Southsea’s seafront honouring those who were involved in the ‘Great Crusade’ in the summer of 1944.
Come 5th June – as it was in 1944 – Portsmouth will be the hub of activity on the English side of the Channel, and in France in Bayeux and Normandy.
Proceedings will be broadcast live on TV around the globe. Further details about the anniversary events can be found here.
Photo: Royal Navy
Whatever the weather….
Many congratulations to two of our incredible fundraising marathon runners who last weekend braved appalling weather conditions in Brighton – and in Malta, too.
Former Royal Marine, Richard Bright (right) from Devon had trained to run his first ever marathon in pleasant, balmy Maltese weather conditions. The reality was somewhat different.
He says: “It was quite a day! Torrential rain, flooded roads on route, drain covers lifted or missing by the amount of water being moved, plus windy and cold! Ironically my biggest concern during training was wearing enough to prepare for some Malta heat. At the end, being tired in the heavy rain wind and cold, my biggest concern was not being affected by the cold!
Overall, it was a superb day – and at 21 days from my 65th birthday I feel a little pleased with myself.”
What a fantastic achievement in having also raised almost £1,200 for our Charity – huge thanks – and enjoy your birthday! Richard’s JustGiving page is here.
West Sussex resident Jamie Palfreman (left picture) was also out pounding the streets, taking part in the Brighton Half-Marathon, and through his JustGiving page and cash donations has raised over £400 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity – BZ.
Jamie, also, had to endure some ‘awful weather and some rather strong head winds’.
He says: “I am not a Marine nor have I served in any other of the services but I have always had a serious amount of respect for anybody that serves our country. I had a PE teacher when I was in school who was a former Marine – and he always had the time of day for me and helped me through school no matter what.
I feel that anyone who serves should be entitled to all the help they need to get them to where they need to be. After meeting another Marine recently, too, and hearing a few stories from his tours I thought I’d show my appreciation and respect by raising money for your charity.”
Huge thanks for such wonderful support of the Corps Family.
Tee time
The annual Royal Marines Charity Golf Day, organised by The West Country 100 and the RMA Golf Society to be held at Exeter Golf and Country Club in Devon on Thursday 6th June 2024, is now open for bookings.
Last year, the sold-out event attracted a record 140 golfers, raising over £20,000 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
The format will again be Better Ball playing in pairs, and those not in a pair or four will be paired up. Teams of two are made up of WC 100 members as well as Serving, former serving Royal Marines Commandos and Charity supporters.
Paul Denning, West Country 100 director and RMA – The Royal Marines Charity trustee, says: “The annual Golf Day has become extremely popular and people travel from all over the country to take part. We were over-subscribed last year and expect to be even more so this year, so we encourage golfers to book early to secure their tee times.”
Shopping Corner
Keep the Corps close to your heart during this special 360th anniversary year with one of these elegant contemporary-designed silver pendants.
Choose from the Commando Dagger; Circle pendant engraved around the inner edge with ‘Royal Marines 1664’ and on the outer edge ‘Per Mare Per Terram’; the RM Corps Crest or 18mm St Christopher with 1664 engraving on the reverse side.
A great selection of other quality products is 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.
And a huge thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy days to complete our recent RM Shop Customer Experience Survey. We received over 1,000 responses which was incredible and will be enormously helpful towards shaping the future of the RM Shop.