NAVY NEWS, JANUARY 2010 29
Pudsey earns
his stripes
PUDSEY Bear paid a visit to
Cornwall’s RNAS Culdrose,
and met up with a few more
predators from the Merlin
● PO ‘Pinta’ Beer featuring his
tonsorial topiary
Flying Tigers crew.
As has become an annual event,
Halfa
members of the RN Motor Cycle
Club jumped on their bikes in aid
of Children in Need.
The Culdrose branch raised
almost £500 during a short
Pinta
visit to RNAS Culdrose and the
combined branches of the club
have raised a magnificent £15,620
during their sponsored tour of the
south-west.
beard
Pudsey Bear was on hand to
oversee the Runway Dash and
accompanying the motorcyclists
down the runway was a Merlin
THERE is no excuse for it. And
helicopter, part of the Flying Tigers
we don’t mean the pink shirt.
of 814 Naval Air Squadron.
Although there’s no excuse for
After 24 years of supporting
that either.
the Children in Need Appeal the
PO Antony ‘Pinta’ Beer, at
total money raised by the bikers
one-time a regular feature
Picture: Cpl Ralph Merry RAF
has broken through the £250,000
of Navy News articles on
barrier.
● The Twelve Days of Elvis on the Rock: Leading Dental Hygienist Jo
HMS Brocklesby, took part
During the live BBC TV
Harris and Sgt Andy Davis of British Forces Gibraltar
in his ship’s beard-growing
broadcast the Navy motorcyclists
competition during their recent
rode their bikes into the Sea Life
NATO deployment to the Baltic
and Mediterranean to raise
Centre in Weymouth to present
money for the ship’s chosen
their cheque in person to the
charities.
organisers of the appeal.
Pinta said: “I grew the most
Other events at Culdrose
Rock stars
fantastic beard. Then the
included a ‘cakes and crafts’ stall
lads heard that my wife had
in the cyber café and a sponsored
threatened to kill me if I didn’t
face painting marathon at 814 TOURISTS to Gibraltar last month must have been somewhat
shave it off.
NAS during which the squadron distracted by the ultimate celeb-spot – Elvis. Especially when they
“So that was it. The lads
CO and other senior officers put thought they were seeing double...
started a bidding war to keep
themselves at the mercy of the But in fact, the two Elvis impersonators are Leading Dental
the beard and have the right
face painters (see picture top). Hygienist Jo Harris and Sgt Andy Davis of the Joint Admin Unit
to shave it into the shape they
Pudsey Bear was kept busy in of British Forces Gibraltar, who spent the 12 days of Christmas
wanted.”
the West Country on Children clambering to the top of The Rock in their doppelgänger gear.
The winners crafted a
in Need night. Members of 815 The fundraising stunt was the brainchild of Andy, who said: “I
charming finished product
NAS donned lycra shorts, got on always do my own individual charity appeal, but instead of the
(pictured above).
their bikes and cycled through the Twelve Days of Christmas I thought I’d concentrate on the Twelve
“It raised £200. But my
night for a 24-hour cyclethon all Days of Elvis.
wife hadn’t seen me for three
in aid of the big bear’s charity.
the squadron’s maintainers (see Brighton and back again, raising
“I’m a big Elvis fan (never would have guessed – Ed); I even have
months.
Cdr Nigel Amphlett, Lynx Force
above). £987 for the charity.
a genuine Elvis autograph on a Christmas card he sent when he was
“She wasn’t happy...”
Commander, was first on the bike.
Money was also collected at The ride organiser, Lt Cdr
serving with the US Army in Germany.”
(Not sure what she thought of
Before starting his stint he said:
the main gate and personnel gave Jon Pollard, said: “The cycling
His partner in spangled jumpsuit is Jo Harris, who admitted: “One
that shirt either... – Ed)
“We wanted to get involved and
generously to the cause. conditions were nigh on perfect –
of my colleagues was supposed to be doing this but she was called
But the efforts of the whole
do something different that would
Brig Mark Noble, Commanding dry and with very little wind.
back to the UK.
ship’s crew, led by Pinta and
fit around the working routines of
Officer RNAS Yeovilton, said: “It being Armistice Day the
“However I’ve been a big Elvis fan since I was given two Elvis
his oppo PO ‘Chip’ Miles and
the Squadron.
“Personnel here at Yeovilton are group took time out at Shoreham
tapes when I was just six years old so I was happy to step into her
with special mention to Lt Jon
“This is quite a challenge and
working hard to support the front Church to pay their respects,
blue suede shoes.”
Campbell who went halves on
we’re looking forward to raising a
line. but declined the kind offer of
After 12 days of climbing, the distinctive duo hope to have raised
the canteen but took nothing
lot of money.”
“It is heartening to see, in these hospitality back at the Royal over £1,200 for their nominated charities.
for himself – raised £1,000 for
After cheering on the cyclists exceptionally busy times, that British Legion. “We wanted to donate half the money to Help for Heroes and the
the RNA in Portsmouth and are
Pudsey needed to get to charities at home are not forgotten “After spending just over five other half to a local charity,” explained Andy.
hoping to raise another £1,000
Bridgwater to kick start the BBC and support continues for such a hours in the saddle, all riders “And as my unit does some voluntary work at the Lady Williams
for Help the Aged.
South West’s Children in Need worthy cause.” arrived back safely in the late Cancer Support Centre, it seemed an obvious choice.”
coverage and to get him there on Thirteen Royal Navy, Army afternoon a little tired but Anyone wishing to pledge their support to what has to be one
time he was flown by one of the and civilian cyclists departed Navy nonetheless satisfied with their of the most distinctive fundraising efforts of last year, should visit
Songs with
Lynx helicopters of 702 NAS, Command HQ on November 11 sterling efforts in aid of a worthy www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Davis1.
after posing for a picture with for a 100-mile charity ride to cause.” Uh huh huh...
SSAFA
Bricks and Bulwark
Basket cases
IMAGINE a World Championship
SSAFA and Chris Whiting, a
for sailing a basket across the River
musician, have teamed up to
Severn – well, in case you can’t,
launch one of his often performed
A GROUP of sailors from close relationship with County
here’s a bit about it.
songs entitled My Boy, about a
father sending his son off to war.
HMS Bulwark visited their
Durham and we value it hugely. A team of student pilots from
All proceeds will be used to
affiliated county, County
“We are always made to feel the Defence Helicopter Flying
help troops and their families
Durham, in November to tell
very welcome by everyone and it is School at RAF Shawbury became
through SSAFA projects like
of their daring deeds whilst
especially rewarding to be able to Coracle World Champions when
make a difference, however small, the event was held at Pengwern
Norton House, which is near deployed to the Far East last
by doing some charitable work,” Boat Club in Shrewsbury.
the Selly Oak Hospital: it offers year.
said Cdr Waterhouse. Three teams from RAF
accommodation to the injured A team of 20 members of
As if this was not enough – Shawbury entered the competition
serviceman or woman’s extended the ship’s company, led by Cdr
the Bulwark team and members which involved rowing a coracle –
family, including partners, so Phil Waterhouse and Lt Robby
of staff from Framwellgate Moor a small, bowl-shaped, one-man
they can be nearby when really Robinson, travelled from Plymouth
Sainsbury’s store took part in a rowing boat which has remained
needed. to County Durham to affirm its
charity row across the ‘Channel’ unchanged for thousands of years
“This song is for those brave close ties with the county.
to raise funds and awareness of – across the River Severn.
men and women serving our The team spent five days in the
the work of Trinity School. As coracles are notoriously
country, and it is every bit as north and had the opportunity to
The row was completed in difficult to row many competitors
much for their families, whose visit a number of their affiliates:
four hours and raised in excess of found themselves drinking
hearts are carried by those Forest of Teesdale Primary
£500. This was on top of £500 mouthfuls of Severn water.
soldiers every single moment of School, Trinity Special School,
donated by the ship’s company to The teams not only achieved
every single day,” said Chris, a and children in Durham University
the school for specially adapted a first and third placing in the
Midlander who therefore knew Hospital.
play equipment and £250 to event but also raised £972 for
of SSAFA’s excellent work at The ship also has strong links
Forest School for outdoor play Macmillan Cancer Support.● Sailors from HMS Bulwark at Trinity School in Durham
Norton House. with Seaham Special Care Home, equipment.
Picture: LA(Phot) Shaun Barlow
Chris worked with Jon Ayecliffe Young Persons Institute Julie Connolly, head teacher of
dismantling equipment. of the new Durham Authority,
Friday brew
Brookes, the drummer with The and numerous Sea Cadet units in Trinity School, said: “The school “These jobs are very important paid tribute to the men and women
Charlatans and the single is being the county. really enjoyed the visit from and in school life just never of the Royal Navy: “During these SOME would say that it is best
released through Black Sheep The sailors were able to assist HMS Bulwark personnel, managed to get to the top of the times it is important that we if unlucky Friday 13th passes
Records on December 14. with many projects at Forest particularly having them take list.” strengthen the ties made with our by without event. Not so for
The CD can be of Teesdale Primary School part in the assembly and the The week concluded with armed forces and in particular personnel at RNAS Culdrose
ordered through www. including digging the vegetable presentation of the cheque for attendance at the Durham ‘our ship’ Bulwark. who held a ‘Big Brew’ morning
chriswhitingmusic.co.uk or garden, building a boat using play equipment. Cathedral Remembrance Sunday “We look forward to seeing for naval and civilian personnel to
Black Sheep Records at www. old wood and furniture, before “Then it was time for some Service where the ship’s company the ship and crew and renewing drop in for a cup of tea and choice
dittomusic.com; or you can also making a bonfire – well, it was minor repairs – these included were joined by their Commanding old acquaintances when HMS of bacon, sausage and egg rolls or
obtain a copy from: www.ssafa. November 5... re-laying an area of block paving, Office Capt Gavin Pritchard. Bulwark comes home to County a slice of home-made cake. The
co.uk. “The ship has an extremely clearing play areas of leaves and Cllr Brian Myers, the chairman Durham in early in 2010.” event raised £185 for SSAFA.
0028-029_NN_jan10 ffg.indd 228-029_NN_jan10 ffg.indd 2 110/12/09 15:35:220/12/09 15:35:22
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