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 another varied run of stories that highlight the power of co-operation, and the strength of sheer determination and will-power.
Thank you as always for your valued support.
Common Assessment Framework on track
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity has completed the first phase of its three-year ‘Building Collaboration and Consensus’ project that aims to develop and implement a Common Assessment Framework, preventing beneficiaries having to repeat and re-explain their challenges and issues time and time again through multiple agencies before receiving any required much-needed support.
By building collaborative partnerships across the entire Armed Forces charity sector and those organisations supporting the veteran community, the project is working to limit inconsistencies in the support of beneficiaries’ needs. The creation of a common framework for assessment and evaluation will result in a seamless and consistent response, with the beneficiary and their family at the centre.
The project, funded by a £300,000 Transformation Grant from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT), is being led by the Charity’s Director of Health & Wellbeing, Danny Egan.
Danny (pictured right), together with RMA – The Royal Marines Charity’s Transformation Project Officer, Paul Gray (left), have conducted a number of outreach sessions during the year as part of the ongoing project.
X marks the place
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is delighted to have secured a Memorandum of Understanding with X-Forces Enterprise. Head of Employment & Education, Zoe Darnbrough has been working closely with Ren Kapur MBE, CEO and Founder of the business to further this partnership that will help support our service leavers and veterans with guided ongoing support for those looking to venture into self-employment or business ownership.
Straight from the horse’s mouth…
“It’s never far from my thoughts – what if I hadn’t put my hands up or had that wobble? Made that cry for help? Where would I be now? I wouldn’t like to answer that question.”
It was on or around December 2022, having suffered a traumatic brain injury and still in ongoing rehabilitation, that Mike G, a former Royal Marines Commando, thought he was coping and progressing well.
This couldn’t have been further from the truth.
“In essence, I now know that I was having a mental breakdown,” recalls Mike. “I had become isolated from my family and friends. So much so that I had lost all confidence in the ability to look after my young daughter.
I found myself turning to alcohol more frequently, as is sadly so common in such situations. It truly never helps. Whilst under the influence, I found myself calling and texting everyone and anyone who would listen. I now know this was escalating into a cry for help.”
Read via the button below what happened after Mike was put in touch with RMA – The Royal Marines Charity – it was a pivotal step that set him, and also his family, on the road to recovery.
Paddle-pusher progress
Former Royal Marine Stephen Lamb from Leicestershire is well on his way to completing his six-day ‘birthday’ paddle down the Grand Union Canal, portaging the 166 locks along the 120-mile journey between Leicester and London, and sleeping alongside the tow path.
He set off from Foxton Locks on Sunday and – despite some torrential downpours and having to ‘jungle-fix’ his portage wheels – passed through Lock 54 at Ravens Lane yesterday afternoon, and reached Hemel Hempstead late last night.
He is now well on track to reaching his final destination at Lime House Basin tomorrow afternoon before heading the short distance to the Tower of London for an official welcome by fellow Bootneck and now Yeoman of the Guard, Andy Merry – where he will celebrate his 52nd birthday!
Steve says he has been touched and overwhelmed by the support he continues to receive – and his whopping fundraising currently sits at over £7,000 (including Gift Aid) for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. BZ.
Making a run for it!
We will be eagerly watching this weekend’s London Marathon, cheering on and willing every success to the two awesome runners who are very generously running to raise funds for our Charity – we know you’ll both smash it!
Huge luck to Chloe Allan, from Plymouth whose father served 26 years in the Royal Marines: and Serving Royal Marine based at CTCRM, Jack Stewart-Richardson, whose run will be extra-challenging as he will be wearing a gas-mask.
Moor running success
Huge thanks and congrats to Serving Royal Marines Kris ‘Fozzy’ Foster (pictured right) and Robbie Garthland (left) who yesterday successfully completed a 30-miler challenge (with a difference) to mark the 22nd anniversary since they passed out of training together.
Having raised over £700 for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and REORG, they said: “The Gods of Dartmoor were incredibly kind and we had glorious weather throughout. We made it to finish line in under eight hours (inclusive of short rounds of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at each water stop), albeit with slightly sore feet! You can still support theme here.
Still time to let us know what you think!
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We will use your feedback to guide any changes so that this Weekly Update can be the very best it can be in keeping you well informed about how RMA – The Royal Marines Charity goes about offering lifelong support to the Corps Family.
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Shopping Corner
These delightful 30.5cm light brown-coloured teddy bears wearing white RMA The Royal Marines Charity t-shirts are now back in stock – and looking for loving homes!
A great selection of other quality products is also 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.
