Poland Trek – Mission Completed
Who?
The West Country 100 is a group of Southwest based business individuals, committed to supporting wounded, injured and sick Royal Marines (and their families) in times of need, through the auspices of RMA-The Royal Marines Charity.
Hasler Naval Service Recovery Centre, based in HMS Drake in Plymouth, provides recovery and rehabilitation services to those Royal Marines who for reasons of injury or illness are unable to perform their duties. The intent is to get them fit for work and to reintegrate them into service life. If this is not possible, it is then to rehabilitate them for a life in ‘Civvie’ Street. This is where the West Country 100 provides its most valuable service, through the provision of coaching and mentoring, work placements and eventually jobs – essentially transition support.
The Royal Marines Association provides friendship, support, and keeps the retired community connected to the serving Corps. It also has a major role in supporting those who have fallen on hard times with anything from financial assistance, through camaraderie, to sign posting individuals to others who can help.
The West Country 100 Poland trek to the High Tatras, brought together a group of supporters from the West Country 100, serving and retired Royal Marines undergoing rehabilitation from Hasler NSRC and the RMA, under the guidance of expedition leader, Dr Stephen Manning.
What?
The aim was to travel to Poland and to trek The Zakopane and High Tatras regions. This included a trip on Day 1 to the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and a visit to old town Krakow on the final day. The days in between were spent in a variety of valleys and mountain ranges, from Zawoja to Baba Gora, to Koscielisko through the Chocholowska valley and to the Gasienicowa meadow via the Jaworzynka valley. Apart from being impossible names to pronounce, they are the most incredible scenery to trek through. Overnight accommodation was in a variety of local hotels, where the team could chat about the day’s endeavours
Why?
It was not just about walking. The aim was to use the trip to allow those who were recovering from either physical or mental injuries, to decompress through the physical activity, and the mental interaction with others. Simply put, it allowed the Royal Marines to learn about the Charity’s supporters and their motivations, and it allowed our supporters to meet, first hand, some of those who they support.
From the positive remarks expressed by all on their return it was a great success. We knew it would be good, but we were surprised to hear just how much benefit was gained by those who attended.
Preparation
The trek was not for the feint hearted. It required a good level of physical and mental fitness and, as always, people said at the end that they were probably about fit enough to start. This meant that the first few days were pretty demanding.
Dr Stephen prepared the trekkers by giving them a briefing back in early June at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines. This was designed to reduce the ‘shock of capture’ by explaining all about the trek and to make sure people understood what was coming down the tracks. He, and the crew, then organised 3 practice walks to get the group working together. Not everyone could make these, but most made one or two. Together, the brief and the practice walks prepared the team for the mountains to come.
Support and Sponsorship
The trip would not have been possible without the support of some very generous companies and individuals. The Royal Marines places were sponsored by Lenny Brown and his team at Airbus. Lenny also sent one of the Airbus team along to experience the trip, and Trish Hanks became a valued member of the team. Nicci Gratwicke at Pencarrie, and Tory Smith at Total Tee provided the trek tee shirts and Tom Parsley at Hays Travel spent a lot more time than we deserved pulling the whole trip together.
While preparing to go, and during the trek, everyone has also been seeking personal sponsorship through a Just Giving page. This has raised about £4,000, which will ensure that the Charity can do even more for those in need.
We have to thank those West Country 100 supporters who not only paid to come on the trek, but also gave time, effort (blood, sweat and tears) and compassion to their fellow trekkers. Lastly we must recognise the efforts of Dr Stephen and Tom for pulling it all together and keeping it real.
Last Word
‘The support offered throughout the week from the West Country 100 was nothing short of fantastic’
Mr Paul Weir – Hasler NSRC – Coaching Resilience Cell
We will see you next year. Watch this space, for news of the 2024 trek.