FORCE FOR GOOD
Support network recognised FIVE years ago, four ladies sat around a kitchen table in Southsea and identified the emerging need for a support network for widows and widowers in the Naval Service, sadly growing in number over years of military conflict, fatal accidents and terminal illness. l Capt Tim Peacock RN, Capt (South) to FOST, presents a cheque to Robert Maltby of St Lukes Hospice at FOST(S) HQ. Picture: LAPhot Joel Rouse
FOST boost for Devon hospice RENOWNED for their tenacity and dedication to setting high standards, staff from Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST), based in Plymouth, have raised the bar again in their fundraising efforts. They recently presented local charity St Luke’s Hospice with an impressive £5,447. The money raised by sponsored events including the Plymouth Half Marathon, an auction at a FOST dinner and a Hadrian’s Wall walk of 84 miles in four days from Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Receiving the cheque, Robert Maltby, from St Luke’s Hospice, said: “I know how much hard work the sailors put in to these challenges. They could opt for something easy, but their dedication and passion to make these challenges interesting and support to our charity is truly amazing. “Over £5,000 is an impressive amount raised and will help towards the £4.5 million we have to raise every year to provide free end-of-life care to our local community. Thank you from everyone at St Luke’s.” FOST staff have also raised £435 for the Jubilee Sailing Trust, enabling two disadvantaged children from the Plymouth area to spend time at sea on the tall ship TS Tenacious, and £500 has been raised for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. Lt George Blakeman, from FOST, said: “St Luke’s Hospice is an important local charity so we are delighted to be able to raise money for this fantastic organisation.”
Friends in the North HMS DAUNTLESS sent a small contingent ‘home’ to Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the Great North Run. Led by their ship’s CO, Cdr Adrian Fryer, Lt Cdr Iain Kearsley and LET Matt Yates ran to raise funds for the Percy Hedley Foundation, one of the official charities of the ship, which is affiliated to the city. Although the race took place in wet and windy conditions, all three were delighted to finish. At the line in South Shields, Cdr Fryer presented a cheque for over £1,000 to the charity, in addition to the individual sponsorship funds which had been raised by the runners, raising the total to over £1,700. Cdr Fryer said: “The Percy Hedley Foundation is a fantastic charity and I am delighted that Dauntless is affiliated to it, and able to support it in this way. “I know the money the ship has raised will be put to very good use and will make a real difference for children and adults in the North East.”
Sign up for 100k walk BLIND Veterans UK, the national charity for blind ex-Servicemen and women, still has places for its 100K walk 2014. Taking place June 21-22 2014, for the first time two-man relay teams can walk 50km of the trek each. Participants need to complete the walk in just 24 hours. The cost of a space is £99 per person or £120 per relay team. The all-inclusive entrance fee for participants includes hot food at three rest stops, snacks and refreshments along the route, first aiders en route as well as a free event t-shirt. For details see: www.walk100.org.uk/sign-up. www.navynews.co.uk
From these humble beginnings, The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Widows’ Association grew in stature to be held in high regard, respected by those who have had any contact with the support network. Two of those ladies at the table were Bridget Robison and Liz Fry who, after five years of serving on the committee,
recently stepped down to let others take on the mantle of helping to run the Association. As a mark of appreciation and thanks for all the time and effort they spent developing and raising the profile of the Association, the two were ‘dined out’ by other members of the committee at a luncheon held in the Wardroom of HMS Nelson. Bridget Robison, on stepping down from the committee, will be the Widows’ Association first President. Chairperson Lesley-Ann George-Taylor, one of the original founders of the Association, has also decided to step down and will be replaced by Elaine Hanby. Lesley-Ann’s many years of
hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated by all the members. In recognition of their service to the Association, Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral David Steel invited the founders along with two other members of the Widows’ Association to lunch at Admiralty House to convey his sincere personal thanks to the team. The RNRMWA was formed to bring friendship, support, guidance and comfort to those who have experienced the trauma of bereavement, and now has a membership of over 70 ladies countrywide and continues to attract new members as the bereaved become aware of the support network.
l The committee ladies meet for a farewell lunch Picture: Helen Wise
Latest research* shows sharp fall in pension satisfaction! Join the Forces Pension Society and we’ll help you get the most from your pension
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*2013 Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey shows satisfaction among those serving in the RN fell from 63% to 44% over the past 5 years.
28/11/2013 JANUARY 2014 11:41 : 19