NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2010

19

Seagals go rowing

NAVAL nurse LNN Laura Thomasson is setting out at the start

other women to row 2,010 miles around Britain in aid of Help for Heroes.

They are taking part in the inaugural GB Row Challenge 2010 – an event that is seen by many as ‘for men only’. Laura said: “So we are going

to give the boys a row for their money and plan to win the race in our fast ocean-rowing boat rowed by a committed handpicked crew of four women – the Sea Gals.” That fast ocean-rowing boat

is in fact Go Commando, which has previously crossed the Atlantic twice.

Belinda Angela Madsen,

The team – Naval nurse Laura; Kirk,

rowing coach; and Amy Green, a TV producer and director – are due to set off from Tower Bridge on June 1, and will row two hours on, two hours off, all day every day.

Dad inspires Peak target

GEORGINA Park and Mike Jenkins are setting out to con- quer the 24 Peaks Challenge next month and raising £5,000 for Seafarers UK in memory of their father Surg Vice Admiral Ian Jenkins. Georgina said: “Our dad was the chairman of Seafarers UK until he died last year. “We were touched by the many messages we received that spoke of his genuine interest in people and his commitment to work. “He believed so strongly in the organisation’s mission, and we hope that by undertaking this challenge in his name we can go some way towards marking his personal and professional achievements.” If you would like to sponsor their efforts, visit www.justgiving.

com/forian

Divers dig deep

STAFF and trainees from the Defence Diving School on Horsea Island raised over £500 for Help for Heroes through a variety of fundraising events over the last six months. National coordinator for H4H, Belinda Mitchell, visited Horsea Island for the presentation, and enjoyed a VIP tour and the chance to see some divers under training. She said: “I am so excited to be

here, it is a perk of my job to visit places such as this.

“It is amazing the things people do for this charity with so many people doing something however great or small.”

Chatham gets quizzical

WHILE on patrol in the Gulf of Aden, the crew of HMS Chatham took part in the Big Pub Quiz World Record Attempt to raise money for the Family Holiday As- sociation charity. Organiser CPO Jason Tyler said: “Quiz nights are always popular on board and this has been all the more enjoyable knowing that we have been able to support the important work of the Family Holiday Association. “The quiz was a close-run

affair with the officers’ wardroom holding first place for much of the time, but they were pipped at the post by a team of heavyweight pub quiz regulars from the warrant officers and chief petty officers’ mess.” The FHA gives breaks to families with severely-disadvantaged children, and its grants allowed 1,600 families to enjoy a break in 2009.

a TV director; an adaptive

of this month with three

Diamond runners

TYPE 45 destroyer HMS Diamond’s crew are already polishing their skills at

charity fundraising.

Sixteen sailors set out to run from Glasgow to Aberdeen then cycle down to Coventry, covering a total of 600 miles, to raise money for local charities. To cover the 140 mile run,

the group split into two teams of eight, with runners

Find out more online at www.

seagals.co.uk.

up to 15 miles a day over a three day period. But the two teams joined forces again for the last mile and a triumphant entry into Aberdeen, where they were met by the Lord Provosts and guests from the charity, Friends of Anchor, on the steps of the city hall. The second part of the challenge called for a cycle ride of 476 miles in only five days, but once again the mammoth feat was accomplished with aplomb and the

cyclists (some of whom are pictured

right) were met by members of the charity that supports the neonatal unit at the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire. Neo Natal ward manager Liz

Wall said: “The crew’s support is exceptionally important.

“It will help us to meet the needs of our babies’ families, creating a friendly environment and a home from home.” Organiser LPT Daniel Fallon “It’s

admitted: gruelling.

been

Instructor I’m supposed to be one of the fittest but even I struggled. “It has all been worth it is

though, it difference.”

all about making a

Bring out the Massed Bands

A NEW Royal Naval event, the South Coast Proms, will be held in Portsmouth this month, raising money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). Friday June 25 and Saturday June 26 will offer evenings of exceptional entertainment when the Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines perform to guests on Whale Island.

The South Coast Proms will complement the popular Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall and the ceremony of Beating Retreat in Whitehall. The performance will allow the RM musicians to display their talents in a show featuring a range of musical styles, state-of-the- art lighting, big screens and a firework finale.

in the grounds of HMS Excellent to

programme. This event coincides with the

provides so much support. See www.southcoastproms. com or call 023 9282 4355.

to the community that the orchestral

Audiences can enjoy a picnic accompany

final weekend of the Portsmouth Festivities, and is seen as a golden opportunity for the Navy to give back

“As a Physical quite Training completing

● The 1955 Naples to Syracuse cyclists

history repeating

A LETTER appeared last year that told the story of an epic bike ride from Naples to Syracuse in 1955; and the author Peter Beirne has written to us again. “In your August 2009 edition

you were kind enough to publish a letter and photograph of my ride in company with others from HMS Birmingham – led by S/Lt Hornblower, no less – 55 years ago.

year, and in the process raised over €5,000 for charity. “I’m sure you will be contacted by them soon, but I thought I’d get in first before I fell off my twig.” And indeed, we have heard from

the latest round of Mediterranean cyclists.

in seven days this

“Well, I’m delighted to tell you, unless you already know, that a group from Naples have repeated the exercise

Heley said: “The team set off on their seven-day journey, trying to enjoy the panoramic views of the Amalfi coast while battling against the brisk coastal wind. “Each day the riders were expected to cover around 100km, regardless of terrain, which proved to be a real test for both novice and more experienced rider alike; the hills – both expected and unexpected – played havoc on tired legs and saddle-sores.” As

predecessors, the 2010 team enjoyed hotel beds rather than tents, and Neapolitan pasta and bread rather than Pusser’s soup and corned beef. The Naval officer paid tribute

compared to their 1955

It’s all just a little bit of

This time it was team from the JFC Naples Tri-Service Cycling Club who clambered aboard their bikes to cycle 400 miles for various Naval charities, Macmillan Nurses, Help for Heroes and... the stained glass windows in the local Anglican Church in Naples. Team member Capt David

to the Army’s WO2 (QMSI) Mick Ashley and the RAF’s Cpl Phil Kelly of the cycling club who made the expedition happen. Other team members included: Garraghty

CPO Dave

won the award for best accident cornering too fast on a bend), LS Russ Forester, Sgt D Hutchinson, Sqn Ldr Barney Barnes, WO Dutch Mulholland, Lt Col Rich Thurstan RM, CPO Lee Wilcock, PO(PT) Reed Glennie, and Cdr Nick Spence.

● ...and in 2010 team member Cdr Nick Spence on the Amalfi coast

(who

824 clean the beaches

PERSONNEL from 824 Naval Air Squadron (pictured above) at RNAS Culdrose flew to the Isles of Scilly for flying training, and fitted in a spot of community work while over there. The trainee air crew for the Merlin Mk1 offered their manpower to Cornwall County Council and were put to work clearing the beaches ahead of the tourist season. Despite poor weather, the team lugged away a huge amount of debris that washes up on the

islands’ shores – plastic bottles, fishing nets, Wellington boots, and to the team’s surprise, a radar dish were all collected. Lt Ian Keddie, a trainee observer, said: “The

three days were a great opportunity for the course to bond in a different environment, and really gave us the chance to help the islands’ community.” The trip to the Scilly also gave the Naval team the opportunity to visit local schools and talk about life in the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Navy. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56