NAVY NEWS, NOVEMBER 2009 31
Sultans of
A dog
is for
the world
(a new)
life
ARE you disabled, or know
SOME of the worst weather
someone who is who might like
a dog to improve their life?
in ten years on the Keswick
Canine Partners is a charity
to Barrow Charity Challenge that trains dogs to help people
failed to daunt the spirits of with disabilities. It has already
a team from HMS Sultan,
provided dogs to a number of
which not only won a clean
injured Armed Forces people.
sweep of trophies, but is
The charity trains dogs for
now World Champion K2B
two years to help people with
● The team from HMS Collingwood who took part in the MS mobility problems, including
Therapies Charity Challenge
Team for 2009.
lifting, stretching, and fetching.
The Delayed Neutrons team
The highly-trained dogs
Bases team up
(perhaps not the most appropriate
can respond to an array of
title in view of their speed) and
commands, including turning
Fast Neutrons Teams joined more
on lights, opening doors,
than 2,000 walkers at the start line
pressing the button on lifts and
for MS challenge
at Rough How Bridge for the 43rd Pelican crossings, collecting
Keswick to Barrow Walk. items in the shops and carrying
Sultan’s teams were dropped them to the check-out.
off at 0545 but because of the Canine Partners is actively
queue to start, didn’t get away seeking Servicemen and
THE MS Therapies Charity Challenge is a fund-raising event with
until 0610, walking straight into women who might need their
a difference, because as well as raising money for multiple sclerosis
the first of many downpours.
● Keswick to Barrow participants with Vice Admiral Richard
dogs. The waiting list is only six
sufferers, it gives them the chance to take part in the activities.
The first support point, seven
Ibbotson and Cdre Al Rymer
to 12 months, followed by the
This year teams from all over the UK, including HMS Collingwood
miles in, at Dunmail Raise, The final stretch took the Delayed Neutrons also took the relevant application process –
and HMS Sultan, gathered in the Snowdonia National Park to carry
the highest point of the route, walkers through the villages of K2B Challenge Cup for the best to find out more, email: info@
out an orienteering type challenge, complete with intrepid volunteers in
gave a small respite before the Marton and Dalton, where non-Cumbrian team and the W caninepartners.co.uk
their wheelchairs.
walkers made their way down into many well-wishers stood by and Richardson Trophy for the best
The teams were tasked with carrying the wheelchairs lashed to metal
Grasmere for the first checkpoint. applauded the efforts of the damp MOD team, giving them a clean
frames over the mountainous 10km course, including bogs, forests and
By now 28 walkers had retired weary walkers as they trudged sweep of team trophies and the
rivers.
because of the continuing bad up the final miles to the finish at treble for the Hampshire-based
The idea is that the volunteers with MS get an opportunity to
weather, but the Sultan teams Hawcoat.
experience activities beyond their normal capacities and enjoy the
team.
ploughed on and were pleased
stunning scenery along the way.
More than 1,900 people It also means they are the World
to reach Coniston Water where
HMS Sultan fielded two teams, who set off for the seven-hour coach
completed the 40-mile distance Champion K2B Team for 2009.
trip to Snowdonia and the next day spent three hours trudging up hills,
their support cyclist arrived with which included over 1,100m of The teams now face their
wading through pools and negotiating fallen trees.
welcome first-aid and chocolate. ascent, despite some of the worst biggest challenge of the race –
After a quick photo-call at the finish line, the teams (minus their MS
By now 176 walkers had given weather in K2B history. collecting the sponsorship money.
sufferer) took a refreshing bath in the nearby river and compared their
up but the teams climbed the HMS Sultan Team Delayed This year they are collecting for
routes.
four miles onto Kirkby Moors and Neutrons won the L Redshaw the Gosport and Fareham Inshore
The mission was to raise as much money as possible for the Solent
were treated to beautiful views of Cup for the best overall team Rescue organisation, and KIDS
MS Therapy Centre in North End, Portsmouth. The target was £2,000
Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea performance with all 12 men – Fareham and Gosport Young
and the team is on well on its way, but more donations are welcome.
as they descended. back in eight hours 22 minutes. Carers’ Association.
If you would like to donate, please contact Lt Paul Bastiaens at HMS
Sultan on 02392 542765.
HMS Collingwood’s team, led by Leading Physical Trainer Ian
And Sultans of summer
Phillips, took along four brave women who had volunteered to be
passengers. Although the team failed to beat any records, the organisers
THIS year’s HMS Sultan Summer
agreed that it had kept within the spirit of the competition by tackling
Show was a huge success, breaking
each obstacle with a desire to go through it rather than find a way round
the fundraising record of its 30-
it – a solution that made for an interesting experience for the wheelchair
year existence to net £56,000 for
passengers.
Calendar
charity.
The Collingwood team hopes to have made more than £1,500 by the
Beneficiaries ranged from Naval
time all the promised monies come in.
charities to local good causes who whirls
were presented with donations
from £15,000 for the Naval chari- THERE are some new
ties through to smaller sums of perspectives on offer with
£2,000 to £4,000 for the smaller. fundraising calendars for 2010.
A ceremony at the Gosport base Brave women from across the
brought together representatives country dared to flaunt a bit
from: the War Memorial Hospital, of flesh for the British Forces
Ark Stubbington, Sultan VCC, Sweethearts calendar for charity
Harbour Cancer Support, 9th Combat Stress.
Gosport Scout Group, Queen
The six are all members of
Alexandra Hospital, Friends of
the online forum, British Forces
Gosport and Fareham Homeless,
Sweethearts, who know and
Gosport and Fareham Inshore
support each other through the
Rescue, RNBT and the Down’s
website.
Syndrome Education Trust.
Kelly Smith was the driving
Commanding Officer Cdre Al
force behind turning the calendar
Rymer said: “Sultan’s Summer
from an online discussion
Show is all about promoting the
to a reality. She approached
Royal Navy in the local community
Alan Kelly of the Disabled
and raising funds to support good
Photographers Society with the
works – and it was fantastic to see
idea of a fundraising burlesque-
so many visit us that weekend.”
themed calendar.
As Navy News went to press
The senior service is
Sultan’s annual bonfire night
represented by Michelle Costello,
took place on Thursday October
the wife of a submariner – she
29 – the profits of which go to
said: “As soon as I saw the
the Central Amenities Fund in
message about the shoot I wanted
support of Sultan personnel.
to be part of it. ● And HMS Sultan’s challengers with their intrepid – and suitably
waterproofed – wheelchair-bound volunteer (we think she must have
● Cdre Al Rymer deals out
“I’m Forces through and
known exactly what to expect...)
the funds from HMS Sultan’s
through. I didn’t mind about the
Summer Show
distance, I just knew I was going
Pictures: LA(Phot) Darby Allen
to do it.”
Looking for help
Astute
Buy the calendar in A3
(£12) or A4 (£10) from www.
britishforcessweethearts.co.uk.
at Lourdes
runners
■ THE Rotary Club of Wootton
Bassett, in Wiltshire, has
produced a 2010 calendar from
which half the profits will go to
HELPERS are needed to take part in the International Military SIX runners from new-build
Help for Heroes and the other
Pilgrimage to Lourdes next year, particularly those who have submarine HMS Astute helped
half to Rotary Club charities.
already been there and want to give something back. to launch the New Balance Half
Retired Squadron Leader
The 2010 pilgrimage runs from May 21–28 and volunteers are
Marathon in their affi liated town
and Rotary Club Webmaster
needed to become helpers or companions to former servicemen
of Warrington.
Christopher Tidball explained:
and women who are making the trip to France.
Running for the Claire House
“We are conscious that Wootton
The organisers are keen to point out that it’s not a holiday
Hospice, one of Astute’s affiliated
Bassett has become synonymous
for the helpers, who may find themselves looking after their VIP
charities on The Wirral, the
charges 24 hours a day, helping them to get dressed, carrying
with military repatriations.
team completed the gruelling
luggage, cutting up food, washing, and of course pushing wheel-
“Those who have seen the
and undulating course in very
chairs for those who cannot walk.
town only through the eye of
respectable times.
Commanding Officers are generally helpful as the visit is
the camera during a repatriation
CPO Kenny Walker said: “It
classed as Command Leadership and Management Training, so
might like to see it in a less
was an outstanding effort by all
the week should not come off annual leave.
sombre mood.”
For further details visit the website at www.jshhg507hq.com
six runners and we hope to have The calendars can be bought ● Standing left to right, LS(CISSM) Keith Harding; CPOET(WESM)
Darby Allen; CPO(CISSM) Kenny Walker, LS(CISSM) John Benson; raised about £1,500 for a very through the website at www.
Front row: AB(CISSM) Colin Banks and PO(WSTSM) Davey McCoy worthy cause.” woottonbassettcalendar.com
030-031_NN_Nov09 FFG.indd 2 20/10/09 13:35:34
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