Royal Marines Charity gives £1m boost to bid to build new museum honouring Commandos' courage

The massive swell of cash was pledged by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and has been hailed a critical lifeline by heritage bosses at the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN).

It comes ahead of a crunch decision by the National Lottery Heritage Fund over whether or not cash chiefs will approve a £3.9m funding application by the NMRN to build the museum.

Professor Dominic Tweddle, director general of the NMRN, said he was ‘incredibly grateful’ for the windfall.

He added: ‘Not only does it directly benefit the project but it provides the national museum with the assurance that the museum we have set out to deliver has the backing of serving and former Royal Marines and their families.’

The £1m gift came from the Marines charity’s historic reserves and not from the fund raised from donations.

Jonathan Ball, chief executive of the charity, said: ‘The new Royal Marines Museum is not just about commemorating the past sacrifice and courage of Royal Marines. It will pay tribute to the Commando spirit – courage, unselfishness, humility and humour – which epitomises the Royal Marines today and in the years to come.

‘The location of the museum will increase the footfall tenfold over the old museum at Eastney, so the Royal Marines' story will be spread even wider and hopefully will encourage the next generation to join.

‘This is why the trustees of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity have made their donation of £1m over four years.’

He added: ‘The gift comes from historic reserves rather than from funds collected for their support of wounded, injured and sick Royal Marines, and so will not in any way affect our ability to support Royal Marines and their families in need.’