Yomper is making steady progress with his training.   He has developed an amazing skill of playing ‘football’ with a tennis ball, dribbling proficiently with his paws and nudging the ball with his nose.  Look out David Beckam!

After an exciting time at Crufts in March Yomper has visited a variety of interesting places.  Regularly accompanying me to work at college, he enjoys making new friends with the students I teach.  He is a frequent visitor to our local garden centre where everyone is very welcoming and interested in his progress.  We spent a day in central London visit my daughter, partaking of a pub lunch and doing a spot of light shopping!  This was his first foray to the big city and he coped extremely well, taking it all in his 7 months stride.

In April we travelled to Edinburgh for a long weekend.   He was a star on the drive up to Scotland and thankfully never asked ‘are we nearly there yet’!  In addition to Edinburgh, we spent a day in Glencoe, which Yomper enjoyed as he managed to have a free run through boggy ground!  Never happier than when in a ditch, up to his stomach in mud!  We managed to take some lovely photographs of Yomper posing on Rannoch Moor (attached)

Most recently, April, we travelled up to London for the Endal awards at the Pet Show in Earls Court; a very busy place, with lots of people and dogs milling about.  When the time came for his entrance to the show ring he was a star and demonstrated to the assemble crowd what a super pup he is.  I am very proud of his progress.

Roma

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I got to the HQ at 0550hrs in the rain and got on my way soon after. Well, as I made my way on the A9, the rain got heavier, the waterproofs put on, the oncoming lorries got whiter, and by God, did it snow! I couldn’t stop as the snow had filled the lay bys, I couldn’t stop or else get rear ended by ever so considerate drivers, I couldn’t NOT continue as I promised my family and the guys at C999 that I would see it through and after an hour or so the snow stopped, the sleet and rain followed and by the time I reached Tayside, I was so cold, even with heated grips and plenty of decent layers, I couldn’t feel the handlebars and was chuffed to arrive in one bit. A brew, a warm and kit change pre emtied meeting the Chief Constable before heading off. I filled up the GTR and when paying, the cashier looked at the bike and asked if the number on the bike (Lloyd Coopers) was from Watford! taken aback, it turned out the guy used to live near the shop that I was brought up close to……chances of that eh? Moving on, I made my path towards Central where I was met by a Traffic car (pre arranged) who escorted me to the HQ. I was met by the DCC who also gave me a letter of promise for a cheque for £100 for C999. Very nice. Onwards to Fife, and met by a T/Supt and two Traffic solo’s. Can we use you and the GTR for an on road photo shoot? Knock yer self out, so off we went with a Traffic car in front with the photographer hanging out, different, but part of me getting what I want is a two way street I thought. Down to L + B and met by the DCC before meeting two Traffic solo’s from Strathclyde on the M8. Run to their HQ and met by a Ch Insp. The guys escorted me out of Glasgow for my run to D + G. It rained again, this time even more of it. I realised I alone was to cure the UK of any hosepipe ban! I arrived at D + G at 1930hrs ever so slightly cream crackered. And I still had to get to Carlisle for my hotel. I arrived there at 2010hrs, a long time since starting at Northern. The obligatory sponsorship photo, dinner, bath and use of tumble driver would save gloves and tops from the previous deluge.

Wednesday would see me on the bike at 0630hrs in time to meet the Cumbria Chief Constable 30 minutes later. This would then take me over a poorly surfaced A686 onwards toward Northumberland Constabulary. The road got higher and higher until it passed 1900 feet , above the clouds and into the snow AGAIN. Coming down saw the temperature gauge reach back into positive numbers and I arrived in one piece to be met by a Ch Inspector. More layers added and another of the many Mars Bars bites the dust. Onwards to Durham and met at Cleveland by the T/Chief Constable and a Traffic solo took me on a brisk ride onto North Yorkshire boundary. Now think of very heavy rain, now double it and put yourself on a bike. Now you in my shoes, oh yeah, now make it very cold heavy rain. I was met by the DCC who braved the rain for a photo outside by the bike. From here I swam / rode down to Humberside and arrived there somewhat similar to how I felt at Tayside but more wet this time. I asked to use the hand driers to sort my kit out to be told the Force has done away with them. I was so happy at this I can tell you! Cue the DCC, “I have one, you can use it if you like?”, I didn’t need to be told twice. In I squelched and tried to sort some kit out but being mindful not to keep the CC out of his loo!. I went back into the conference room and found the DCC had sorted out small heaters and arranged my gloves and jacket accordingly. Tea and biccys followed. Nice place, Humberside. I was escorted by Lee Robinson (not a relative) on his Traffic bike onto the M62 after establishing that W Yorks and Lancs were not going to be open for a photo when I would have been there. To be honest, drowned rat came to mind and I set off on the motorway to the other side of England to Liverpool for my next hotel and it rained heavier than I had ever seen before in 32 years of riding and it rained every miserable mile. I left the GTR outside my city centre hotel, got changed into civvys and had the photo prior to dinner, bath and bed.

Thursday saw me bright eyed and bushy tailed at Merseyside. Slighly warmer rain I recall. I was due to be on my way to meet guys from North Wales at 0800hrs but due to the Livepool Echo guy running late as well as waiting for a local Marine to meet me, my three solo escort and I made our way to my RV and met the three damp waiting riders as anticipated. Say hello, wave goodbye as the song goes. Bloody long way to North Wales, but met by DCC, brew and bacon roll, cool! Now the plan was to make my way along the west coast road of Wales and meet up with one Traf Pol of Dfyed – Powys. My phone goes, a Welsh voice tells me the plans had changed and for me to RV with four Traf Pol solo’s from their driving school in a place called Newtown and they would escort me to their HQ. Okay. The North Wales guys rode with me through roads that make our A93 look like motorway. On the way, two low flying jets damn near took my helmet off, and then a very low flying Hercules banked directly above us. Breathtaking. Anyway, we get to Newtown nick and find NO escort. Pop inside, phone goes, it’s my D P contact with the wonderful news that the guys have been diverted for an RTO. Oh wonderful news I thought, not only have I gone out of my way, but done almost a half tank of squirt in the process. Follow this route and find the bikes. Follow it, I couldn’t even pronounce it! With road signs in Welsh and English, each sign took twice as long to read as it had twice the information to read. And then it rained, but this time it was Big Boys rain. I met the guys and had what could be described as a ‘spitired ride’ for about 70 rain soaked miles. Parts of that ride will stay with me, two bikes in front, two behind, sorted! Arrive at D P, photos, leave D P and onto S Wales. Photos with ACC (biker and very nice guy). Phone ahead to Gwent who expected me the previous day!! and couldn’t see me and Gloucs had gone home. Now I had to be ever so slightly flexible due to the mammoth daily miles but can’t stick the bike to a helicoptor or make time go backwards. This meant ‘route 1′ to W Mercia to my hotel in Worcester where I met up with my brother and his wife for dinner. ‘Tres civilised’ don’t ya know…

Next day, W Mercia, photos and brisk escort towards B’ham where I met a Ch Supt for the handover. Up to Staffs where I met a Traff Pol PS and further up to Cheshire where I was escorted into their HQ by two solo’s and to a round of applause from the assembled Traffic motorcyclists and others. Very weird and humbling I can tell you. From there God decided to test my waterproofs for some heavy rain not seen since the day before, they have proper rain up there you know! I was met by a Ch Supt and needed to crack on as I was due to be in South Yorks. I had a great welcome from the ACC (an ex ‘Royal’) who appreciated by efforts. A phone call to Lincs and Notts, neither of which were still open for me to visit. Derbyshire, different story, they would wait for me what ever time I arrived, right answer! Their Traf Pol Ch Insp met me and is ex ‘Royal’ as well. Enter post code for next hotel, knackered and another 50 miles to go before bed, arghhhh! Photo, bath, dinner, bed.

On the bike at 0645hrs and arrived at Leics, photo, on way….Down to Warks, this was the first time since leaving home I had seen a dog or heard birds singing, very surreal moment in a week of not knowing where I was half the time. Met with Traf Pol Ch Insp, a biker and another nice guy. A nice dry ride down t TVP and met with Ch Supt, another biker and a nice chat too. Up to Northants, down to Beds, upto to Cambs and another two solo escort to their HQ and met a Ch Supt. the guys escorted me on my way Norfolk, very flat bit of road, see for miles but not very inspiring. Met by Supt before heading down to Suffolk. Now a funny thing happened when I arrived in Ipswich. I was knackered, damp and clear thinking or so I thought. I get off the bike and see two dirty great Essex Police horse lorries. Jesus, I’ve missed out Suffolk, double take, yep , Essex lorries. Have a walk around to get my confused head together and see the horses are there for the Millwall match vs Ipswich. That made sense. I go to the public office, introduce myself. “I thought you were on a pedal bike” the guy said. I can’t print my response. Through the football traffic, easy on a Police bike that was. Over to Chelmsford for another very welcomed Premier Inn, photo etc and a call from my Essex Police contact telling me I’d be met at the hotel at 0645hrs tomorrow.

Sunday morning came, as did my escort to the HQ only a short ride away. Sunshine and the Traffic Ch Insp met me. Over to Herts and a phone call to City of London tells me ‘no dice’ as the London Marathon is on, so no one to meet me and no way of easily getting over the river to Kent. On to Kent then! Met by two ex ‘Royals’ and then down to Sussex where I was met by a Traf Pol and a donation to C999 as well as an escort to the A23 for my cross country excursion to Surrey. I’d planned for the Surrey escort to RV with me and waited in a lay by for the guys to come. One turned up and told me I’d been reported by a motorist for impersonating Police Officer. Some would sy I’ve been doing that for ages! Not in uniform, ‘Police’ covered up on the bike, no blue lights showing. Muppet. Photos at Surrey HQ before another waterproof tester to Hants. Damn long ride in the wet and another photo. Up to my Premier Inn at Chippenham, obligtory stuff done and time for bed.

Monday, on the road at 0630hrs towards Wilts HQ. Met T/DCC and told my trip had got on Radio 1 minites before. I always said I had the perfect face for radio. Now almost there then! have you seen ‘Hot Fuzz’, cue next surreal moment, I’m riding through a place similar to the place where it was filmed, I’m going through the script in my head (as you do when you’ve spent too much time alone), I round a bend and see a swan, if you know the bit in the film, you’ll know why I laughed like a drain at that bit. I then met up with Mark Nicholson of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement motorcycle club for an escort over to Avon and Somerset to meet more BK prior to the HQ visit. Now when I say it rained heavily, trust me it was bad. Other guys in tow and arrival at HQ. To my huge surprise, I was presented with a cheque for £1,000 kindly donated by their CC. VERY kind gesture indeed. Now Mark and his pals (ex A + S) tok me part way to Dorset with Mark guiding me through some torrential rain all the way to this HQ. Another damn good soaking with kit to be changed, wrung out, name a term for it, we did it!. Met with a brew and Ch Supt. Traf Pol Insp took me to the Force boundary and I rode off towards Devon and Cornwall, having said cheers to Mark at Dorset. I was now going to meet another BK called Pat Sturman who would be my company for this leg. Pat and I reached D + C, photo done and continued on to HMS Drake in Plymouth to meet injured ‘Royals’ at RM Hasler on the camp which is the hospital where my raised money will be spent. I was shown around by CSM Jim Morris. A ‘go’ of the tumble drier helped me with wet gloves, a brew helped me with my sanity. We had a great chat about the guys, the work that is done and anything else towards the C999 end game. I left there at 1800hrs. I then had a bad moment when I entered the post code for my hotel in Reading. 201 MILES TO GO. Oh yeah, it rained and it rained and it rained some more. I got to the hotel at 2133hrs and made the restaurant by 2145hrs. One hell of a long day, 504 miles in total and 15 1/4 hours long. Don’t ever moan about being knackered again.

Photo in the morning as I couldn’t be bothered the night before, anyway, it looked better in the daylight. This was the LAST day of the challenge with only The Met to finish the ‘set’. I felt like a kid waiting to collect the full set of World Cup stickers. A photo session at Kawasaki UK and then the rat run that is the commute into central London. I was a chauffeur in London for 12 years and looking back, can’t see how I put up with that level of traffic for so long. I made my way through the angry commuters to New Scotland Yard by 1015hrs, just before my half past deadline. This was the ONLY thing in the past nine days that wasn’t going to missed. I then met up with a C999 guy, ex ‘Royal’ and serving Met cop Ray Mead, another guy, same background, Roger Dobson and Sarah kell. Now Sarah is a civvy in The Met and was until recently, my contact for Black Rat stuff. For the uninitiated, Black Rat is The Met Traf Pol benevolent fund and I do some fund raising for them. Sarah and I had never met and it was like meeting an old pal after some years of phone calls and emails. Another very welcome sight was another Met pal, Dennis Metherell. I won’t bore you with Den’s credentials, suffice it to say he has done more stuff on bikes that I ever could and is very switched on. Den lives in Kent and popped up to see me at the finish line. Decent guy. We had lots of photos by the world famous revolving sign before going to the 4th floor for tea and a dog roll. Ray and Roger jacked up a visit to No 10 for me to top the morning off. I couldn’t get the bike in but many photos followed, including me in Premier Inn t shirt and the famous door. That’ll be the ‘money shot’ then…..We then rode the short distance to the Graspan Memorial on The Mall for more photo’s care of the C999 photographer, Ant Upton. Top guy and no mistake. Bikes by the memorial, Police horses by the memorial. A very special day so far. Cheers Ray and Roger. After this it was a trip across town to Colchester to see Des as he has recently acquired Colchester Kawasaki and because of his sponsorship, more photos were to follow. I hadn’t seen Des for a while, neither had Den, so we hade a bloody good catch up. The shop closed, Des went home, Den went back to Kent, and I popped round to see Yvette, she and I worked as holiday camp Bluecoats for Ladbrokes in 1985 in Devon. I met her hubby and two great grown up daughters before re living the old days with stories of Ents staff antics that will remain in memory and not in print. I then rode off into the sunset to my last Premier Inn at Clacton on Sea.

At 0610hrs the next morning, the GTR and I started our 600 mile assualt to the north east of Scotland and what can be described as a filthy looking day. My route was to take me north west past Cambridge, Bedford ish’ and onto the MI before going up the M6. I can tell you the clouds found me and emptied themselves on me again. This time, I think ‘Head of clouds’ knew I had completed my challenge, raising more money than expected in the bargain. After Cambridge the water had made it’s way up my gloves that were under my jacket (heavy rain has a knack for that). Change of gloves, moving on. On the M6, just south of Coventry, the world’s biggest downpoor got me good and proper. It was bitterly cold, the icy water had run up my sleeves and filling up my gloves, I could feel my sleeves under my jacket bocoming more and more wet. I jumped off the GTR and went to find the gents and nicked every hand drier they had and desperately tried to dry out my kit. As the saying goes, not a bloody chance. After burning a hole in the ozone layer for 30 minutes and only managing to warm up soggy gloves and three long sleeved tops. The realisation of having done the trip successfully, ridden 3200 miles in some pretty crap conditions and a maximum of 6 hours kip per night for nine days kicked in. I sat down in my damp kit, knowing I had 480 miles to go. If I carried on, there was a bloody good chance of an accident as my concentration was down to less that it should of been. If I went on, my kit would be properly soaked again in minutes and I’d be forced to stop again and again. At some point the services would finish, my patience would end, my concentration would go out the window and my wife would be a widow and my kids wouldn’t have dad. The forecast on the service station channel was rain, high winds and snow in Scotland. Jog on. I phoned the RAC with hands and voice struggling to stop shaking and used my best diplomatic skills, along with a 16 year full membership to get the GTR and me back home alive. This was about 1100rs. The guy arrived later, the recovery truck arrived much later, I was taken by the Patrolman to Birmingham International where after a fairly long wait, eventually got in the car on my way home at 1630hrs. Cold, wet, absolutely on my uppers but on my way home, at last. After far more stops that I would ever have, I made my way home, looking back, not remembering 95% of the journey, getting home at 0140hrs. Sod that for a game of soldiers……….I think my body just said, no, you’ve done your best, the whole trip was success, the money is in the bag, you’ve been to Hasler, NSY, No 10. The thing was over. Getting home was never against the clock but it was damned important to me as I’d been working really hard over the last 9 days to do stuff for guys I don’t know, will never meet, but I gave my promise that I WOULD do everything I set out to do. My daughter’s school had done fundraising with cake sales, collections and fund raising through parents evenings etc for C999.

I went to my daughter’s school today to show the kids and teachers what a dirty well used Police bike looks like and was delighted to be presented with a cheque for £180.00 for C999.

I always tell my youngest daughter that ‘A promise is nothing until it’s delivered’, I promised her I would make her proud of her dad for what I had said I would do, and more importantly be there that night to tuck her in. I was later than intended, woke her up, gave her a huge hug and tucked her in.

My reason for collecting money for this charity is to provide some level of assurance to the ‘Royals’ fighting overseas who may not come home to their kids and tuck them in. People like me do stuff like this, people like us support events like these. I looked for an inspirational quote before I left to use at a time like this. I had a really good look and found this from Sir Winston Churchill from the Second World War. It simply say’s “Never, ever, ever give up”.

I am proud to say that I set out to visit all 51 UK HQ’s within a certain time and bloody well did it, of which I am unashamadly very proud of my achievement, especially at 48 years young, there’s life in the old dog yet. I’m proud to be English, British and a Police officer who will gladly give up more free time to do something like this year after year if I can motivate people to part with a few quid to help those more needy than I am.

Bless you to the men and women of the British Armed Services who do us proud each day.

Cheers, Mark Robinson. PC, Grampian Police.

Colin and Rob are dedicated runners and triathletes and in an effort to make their physical activities more rewarding, are linking in with a charity supporting the Royal Marines.

As former Royal Marines and currently serving Police Officers within the Avon & Somerset and Wiltshire Constabularies, all funds raised from the events will go to the Commando999 Charity.

Donations can be made here

Today Paul Vice (Vicey), so badly injured in Afghanistan and one of the stars of ‘Royal Marines: Mission Afghanistan’ has been awarded the Military Cross. Congratulations Vicey…!!

Chris Terrill (Filmaker) says “It was a privilege to have been able to film with you out in Ghaners. You are an inspiration to a whole generation of Bootnecks. Enjoy your recognition”.

Corporal Paul Vice, 28, was one of six soldiers blown up by the device while on patrol in Afghanistan two weeks ago.

His heart stopped beating but his quick-thinking colleague saved his life and he was rushed to Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, for emergency surgery.

The Bristol-born father-of-four, who was on his fourth tour of Afghanistan and has served in Iraq twice, was later flown to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where he is still recovering after enduring two more operations.

His wife, Tessa, 27, is at his bedside with daughter Honey, eight, twins Frankie and Alfie, six, and son Harley, four.

Cpl Vice had volunteered to return to Afghanistan to be with comrades from 42 Commando.

His dad, also named Paul, 54, of Bristol, said: “He was dead – but they brought him back to life again. He flat-lined so his brain was starved of oxygen for a while. But he’s been injured before – his arm was totally messed up – but it doesn’t stop him.

From all at Commando 999 Vicey – We salute you!!

‘Going the extra mile’ will be easier with a good night’s sleep between each long day.

If you wish to sponsor Mark, please visit http://www.bmycharity.com/GOINGTHEEXTRAMILE2012

Mark

P4 class at Ballater Primary School, Ballater, Aberdenshire is where Mark’s daughter Lexi (front row bottom) along with other pupils have done pictures for the injured ‘Royals’ and they have asked that I take them to Hasler Coy to brighten up the rooms of the lads.

The rest of the class are working on pictures as well that will add a splash of colour as a distraction from all the therapy and phys. The kids asked Mark to let the guys know that although they are the other end of the UK, that they care about them and wish them all on the road to recovery.

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A HOOFING effort…and a BIG, FAT, THANKS to Lexi and everyone in P4….from all within the Royal Marines family.

Mark

This will be the first of a wee flurry of emails that you will getting from me over the coming weeks. I’ll try to keep them as brief as possible, but I have shed-loads to impart upon you. Could I firstly take this opportunity to welcome all those new members of Commando 999 who are receiving this update for the first time. In short, we are in a good space!! Membership of our ranks continues to rise, our events list for this year is expanding and the money we are raising is certainly going where we all want it to. The RMA trustees are pleased with our progress, the Corps RSM (Ally McGill) and CGRM are hugely supportive of our endeavours and Hasler Company appreciative of all of your efforts in improving the life chances of a number of its ranks. The update then;

Hasler Company – Visited Steve Melbourne (OC) and Jim Morris (CSM) recently. Hasler are in good hands and in good shape fella’s!! The boys are getting the very best assistance that the Corps can provide and the extended RM Family are helping them along the way. Two things of note;

I have agreed with Richie Puttock at the RMA that a couple of thousand pounds of the money you have raised can be spent on bringing half of Hasler Company…ish to attend the Army v Navy game at Twickenham. Thought it was a hoofing idea that we paid for them and laid on a bit of food/drink etc. I’m sure you are all OK with that. I will provide more detail in due course BUT Steve Melbourne and the boys recently attended the Wounded Warrior Trials in the USA. With no equipment and little training the boys STILL bagged a whole load of medals and did themselves and our Corps proud (please take a look under ‘Latest News’ at www.commando999.com for more information). Steve’s idea is that Commando 999 (with some of the money we raise this year) pays for our boys from Hasler to attend the Wounded Warrior Trails next year and also provide them with the specialist kit they need to take part. It’s expensive but I thought it was a DOUBLE – HOOFING idea!! As I mentioned, more information to follow on this.

Speedmarch

This year’s Speedmarch in central London is taking place on Saturday 10th November 2012. As always it promises to be a hoofing event, with our brethren from the PT Branch (CTCRM) providing the motivation we need to get around the route which this year is once again different. We are all running 16 miles, 640 yards!! At this early stage, please can I ask of you the following;
Book Annual Leave NOW for Friday 9th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November 2012 (especially if you live miles away).
Join the Royal Marines Association – Only members of the RMA can run as they cover the public liability insurance for the event. Go to Just Giving and register yourself as a runner/fundraiser under this event. Using Justgiving allows the RMA to claim back Gift Aid, is transparent and means that we can see how many people are running and what has been raised come run-day. Whilst I am entirely happy for people to collect on old fashioned ‘Sponsorship’ forms (attached)…I must ensure that every single person running is registered on ‘Just Giving’ and strictly has a minimum of £750 on their account come run day….even if you then upload even more once the event is over. We have 150 spaces…so register early!! Finally EVERYONE MUST JOIN THE Commando 999 team page on Justgiving. Go to http://www.justgiving.com/teams/commando999 to join us otherwise, you may end up raising money for someone else.Please then send Ray Mead the attached registration form to raymond.mead@commando999.com to confirm that you are a runner. Ray is holding the official list fella’s. No form…no run.

Black Tie (Regimental) Dinner

The full menu will be circulated closer to the time. But it will include 5 courses, half a bottle of wine and a glass of port per person. The RM Band (Corps of Drums) will also drum us into dinner. We do also have some special VIP’s in CGRM and the Corps RSM as well as Sir Hugh Orde amongst others. For those of you that attended in 2009, 2010 and 2011…I am sure you remember the event to be spectacular and a great opportunity to catch-up with old friends as well as a good excuse for the ladies to get out there party frocks. The price of the dinner is an unbelievably cheap £60 per head.  Reservations will be strictly on a first come-first served basis. Please send your cheques to Ray Mead at 5 Aylett Road, Upminster, RM142UX and make them payable to ‘Mr Ray Mead (Commando999 dinner 2012)’. For your information, we are broadening the invite list for dinner this year to the whole RMA as well as to the broader Corps family and those that are taking part in www.operationcommando.co.uk . Therefore the only way you can confirm your attendance is the get the cheque to Ray ASAP.

General Enquires – Whilst I am entirely happy to deal with bonafide enquires…please can I also ask that that if you have any generic questions….you once again email Ray Mead at raymond.mead@commando999.com as Ray is once again playing a significant part in arranging this year’s event.

I do have much more to tell you…but I think that’s enough for one email.
Next email will be with you next weekend.
Out for now.
Mark

Registration Form

Sponsor Form

While statistics are inherently dangerous, I thought that you might like to hear how the RMCTF fundraising campaign is getting on.

Between 1 April and 31 December 2011 the RMCTF generated over £2M in income and spent around £1.5M meeting the needs of serving and retired Royal Marines and their dependants.  RMCTF Trustees agreed last week to invest the surplus in order to begin to make provision for issues that may emerge in the longer term.

More specifically:

• We seek to support our wounded and injured in any way we can – the Recovery Pathway. Between the RMCTF and the naval service Help for Heroes Quick Reaction Fund, we spent over £900K in supporting individual recovery plans. A few examples:
• Training courses for a life outside the Royal Marines – teacher & fast track paramedic training; maritime security, plastering, personal trainer, golf course and business management courses to name but a few
• Funding repatriation of a family to the father’s country of birth
• Building a play facility for the children of a seriously ill Royal Marine
• Paying living expenses for those on work experience
• Sport and adventure training to aid recovery including supporting a number of men seeking to participate in the Summer and Winter Paralympics

• We seek to improve the quality of life of those who are facing multiple tours in high threat environments and are so very often forgotten – the Quality of Life Pathway. The RMCTF has spent nearly £650K on decompression activities such as:

• Home coming parades & medal ceremonies
• Maintaining memorials
• Adventure training for those deployed on operations in 2011
• Sport in general and a major sports tour to the USA in 2012
• Helping fit out the new base for Royal Marines Reserve London as a home from home in the capital

The vast majority of the funds directed to this work come the Corps Subscription – a simple form of payroll giving by serving Royal Marines.

• We continue this support long after our people have severed their formal links to the Corps – the Through Life Pathway. We are finding that demand is increasing right across the spectrum – those retiring early, those leaving after a career, and not just those who fall on hard times in later life.  Between 1 April and 31 December 2011 the RMCTF spent £220K on:

• 211 cases of benevolence for retired Royal Marines and their dependants
• 33 cases of benevolence for serving Royal Marines
• Support to the RM Welfare organisation

We are just beginning to see those wounded on recent operations who have left the Corps appearing in this cohort.

• Death Grants – since 2000, 69 Royal Marines have died on operations and a similar number have died in service due to illness or accident – over this period the RMCTF paid out £750K in death grants to next of kin within 48 hours of the event.  The purpose of the grant is to remove any immediate financial need at a difficult time

In addition, the Royal Marines Association (a separate charity from the RMCTF) contributed the following from its own funds:

• Recovery Pathway – £44K

• Quality of Life Pathway – £15K

• Through Life Pathway – £121K

Finally, since 2000 some 500 Royal Marines have been wounded or injured on operations, of whom some 240 seriously.  While the majority make a full recovery and continue to serve, nearly 80 are currently being provided with bespoke individual recovery plans in Hasler Company in Devonport.  A recovering Royal Marine in Hasler Company has observed:

“In one location at HMS DRAKE I have had unfettered access to medical, welfare and resettlement support as well as the advice and guidance of a Staff who are focussed solely on enabling my recovery and have a developed understanding of it.  Like any organisation Hasler Company could improve, but it is delivering against a significantly challenging operating environment where numerous stakeholders have a view, but a core few take the day to day responsibility of delivering it.  I often reflect on how lucky I was to have joined the Royal Marines; Hasler Company is yet another reinforcement of this belief.”

In the Summer of 2011, Commando 999 announced that through the years events, that we would be seeking to ‘donate’ a puppy in memorial to Richie Hollington, sadly killed in Afghanistan and who was notoriously the 300^th British death in that campaign. Geoff King and Ray Mead of Commando 999 were invited to Crufts to hand over a cheque of £20,000.00 for Hounds for Heroes. In the company of Robin Hollington (Richie’s Father) and Dan Slark (Commando Log Regt) Richie’s Squaddie, they were introduced to ‘Yomper’ (6 months old) whom Commando999, through this donation, will help fund his extensive years of training. We hope to follow ‘Yomper Richie’s’ progress as his training progresses. We do not know who will be the beneficiary but we remain confident that whoever, Military or Emergency Services, there will clearly be a lucky person to benefit from such a worthwhile cause and future life companion.

Ray Mead

Colin Symington was one of the many Royal Marines who had within a week, mobilised and redeployed to the South Atlantic on ‘Operation Corporate’ as part of a ‘Task Force’. As a result of this historic event, Colin has formulated the Ethos of ‘The Big Yomp’. Many of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines had all played their small but significant part and this has inspired Colin to herald this years 30th anniversary of the Falklands War with, ‘The Big Yomp’ which once again, will take a lot of ‘Small combined efforts to achieve one overall goal” – Support for Royal Marines and their families as the those wounded and bereaved struggle to regain health & fitness, normality & stability.

30 years on, The Royal Marines have continued to serve around the world, facing dangerous, difficult & exacting situations. There is a continued need to keep supporting our courageous and brave lads and their families. Colin is now a serving member of Avon and Somerset Constabulary and is a member ‘Commando999’. Living by the motto of ‘Once a Marine, Always A Marine’ he and his colleagues are raising money for Royal Marines Charities. ‘Commando 999’ aim to raise £1 million by 2014.

The Big Yomp Challenge

The ‘challenging’ events will be every month throughout 2012. (All are self-funded by Colin). They will be in the form of endurance events ranging from multi terrain runs, multi-marathons to triathlons. Colin with support of good friend Rob will complete at least one ‘challenge’ a month with the aim of concluding at the London 1664 Speedmarch in November -

15^th Jan – Riverbank Rollick, Thornbury, Bristol – 9 mile multi terrain run. – Challenge completed

12^th Feb – Dursley Dozen – 12 miles multi terrain run. Challenge completed.

23^rd to 25^th March. – The monster Jurassic Coast Challenge, 3 marathons in 3 days.

14^th April – ‘The Bath Beat’ off-road marathon.

13^th May – ‘The Stowe Triathlon’

12^th June – ‘The Cotswold 113’ – Half Ironman distance Triathlon.

1^st July – ‘The Warminster Triathlon’

August – Awaits

September – Awaits

1^st October – Mount Kilimanjaro climb.

10^th November – Commando 999 London ‘1664’ Speedmarch. This will mark the completion of events with the Armistice Day Parade on Remembrance 11^th November 2012.

In line with playing a small part towards the final goal, Colin is not looking for huge contributions. Instead, he wants as many people as possible to join him and his Oppo Rob Kilgour, to give a little and help in meeting their challenges.

You can find out more by visiting ‘Bmycharity’ and typing ‘Colin Symington’ in to the ‘find a friend’ box. There, you will also find a link to our web site. Alternatively, you can enter your details on our sponsor form.

http://runningmen.businesscatalyst.com/index.html

http://www.bmycharity.com/colinandrobschallenges

Thank You.

Colin Symington & Rob Kilgour – Commando 999 – Responding together