Unsung heroes of Royal Navy Royal Marines charity are celebrated at swanky do in Portsmouth

UNSUNG heroes of a charity which supports Royal Navy personnel and their families have been celebrated at a swanky maritime awards do.
Tom Cotterill
By Tom Cotterill
Published 2nd Dec 2019, 12:24 BST
Updated 3rd Dec 2019, 15:47 BST
Bob Field, RNRMC fundraising manger, with Sara Field and Chief Petty Officer Paul Conybeer. Photo: Angus RosierBob Field, RNRMC fundraising manger, with Sara Field and Chief Petty Officer Paul Conybeer. Photo: Angus Rosier
Bob Field, RNRMC fundraising manger, with Sara Field and Chief Petty Officer Paul Conybeer. Photo: Angus Rosier

Fundraisers, volunteers and supporters of the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) have been recognised for their efforts supporting the Portsmouth-based organisation.

Four awards were presented to people who went the extra mile for the military organisation, including accolades for former Royal Navy commander Jane Allen, who walked solo around the coast of Britain, and a group of cyclists who completed this year’s Heroes’ Cycle Challenge from London to Paris to mark the D-Day 75 commemorations.

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The night, the first of its kind for the charity, was staged inside Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Former Royal Marine Frank Allen and his wife, retired Commander, Jane Allen. Jane received an award for her solo round-Britain walk. Photo: Angus RosierFormer Royal Marine Frank Allen and his wife, retired Commander, Jane Allen. Jane received an award for her solo round-Britain walk. Photo: Angus Rosier
Former Royal Marine Frank Allen and his wife, retired Commander, Jane Allen. Jane received an award for her solo round-Britain walk. Photo: Angus Rosier

Adrian Bell, RNRMC chief executive, said the event was about praising all the incredible work by charity patrons.

He said: ‘This is a celebration of gratitude for those people who support us in everything they do.

‘These are people that often go unsung and who are giving their time and or money to help strangers they don’t know and will likely never meet.

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‘They are selfless. Thanking those people is something we can’t do enough.’

Vice Admiral Sir Simon Lister, managing director of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, with Toby Ellison, Tom Greenwood, Sean Merritt, Kate Taylor, Cam Haynes, Sam Singleton, Duncan Robertson, Captain Bill Oliphant RN. Photo: Angus RosieVice Admiral Sir Simon Lister, managing director of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, with Toby Ellison, Tom Greenwood, Sean Merritt, Kate Taylor, Cam Haynes, Sam Singleton, Duncan Robertson, Captain Bill Oliphant RN. Photo: Angus Rosie
Vice Admiral Sir Simon Lister, managing director of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, with Toby Ellison, Tom Greenwood, Sean Merritt, Kate Taylor, Cam Haynes, Sam Singleton, Duncan Robertson, Captain Bill Oliphant RN. Photo: Angus Rosie

More than 100 people from across the country attended the event, including Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel, beneficiary organisations and corporate partners.

Other people honoured included Warrant Officer Paul Nash for his role in supporting Kings Camp – a school holiday club for service children, and Mark Ormesher from tech firm Palantir who helped create the charity’s first ‘virtual challenge’.

The night concluded with the launch of the charity’s next fundraiser – the Normandy Trek.

Taking place next year, the five-day trip will see participants trekking along the Normandy coastline to commemorate 75 years since the victory in Europe.

To take part, see rnrmc.org.uk/trek.

Related topics:PortsmouthRoyal NavyPortsmouth Historic Dockyard

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