RMC Annual Review 2020-21 digital (1) - Flipbook - Page 54
Never above you, never below you, always by your side
Why we support the Charity
...and why
we support
the Charity
Natasha Jones
After running my second half
marathon I was adamant I
would never run another.
At the time my son, Ethan was going
through the recruitment process for
the Royal Marines so had been on
runs with me until he got too fast and
I couldn’t keep up! I didn’t really think
about doing another half marathon
until some of my friends starting
signing up again, by this time Ethan
was already at Lympstone training.
After attending families day and
hearing how the charity can
support in many ways, my husband
suggested if I sign up for the Bath half
marathon I should do it for charity
and suggested the RMA as they
are not really recognised outside
of the forces family, so I did.
We never thought we would need
support from the charity ourselves,
until Ethan tragically died following an
accident whilst out on final exercise.
The Charity stepped in right from
day one, which meant we did not
have to worry about taking time
off work, especially with me being
self-employed. They also make you
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John Peel
feel that you could contact them for
anything and they’ll support you. My
experience of the charity is that they
are very keen and willing to support.
“It’s great to see
the stories of how
they help others
and for this reason
I signed up to
the Bath Half to
raise more money
and awareness.”
Unfortunately it has been cancelled
twice this year — although I did run
it virtually. I’ve also completed a
virtual 874 miles Lands End to John
O’Groats, a 10k and 5k inflatable
obstacle course. Next year some
of Ethan’s troop and the Corporals
will also be running it with me.
Celebrating the 75th Year of the RMA
After moving to North Devon
in 2006, a chance meeting
with a former RM resulted
in my joining the North
Devon Branch of the RMA.
With the branch being connected
to Commando Logistic Regiment
RM I started to experience life back
in the Corps and soon realised
that although I had left the Corps;
the Corps had not left me.
Assuming the role of Chairman in
2012 and inheriting a branch, who
were well respected both in the local
community and Corps Family, I set-to
to build on the excellent work of my
predecessors. Realising the mindset
and spirit of former RMs and the wider
military was still strong, I wanted to
build up a climate of camaraderie,
teamwork, and mutual support.
A personal objective was to make the
RMA North Devon Branch the “Go
To” military veterans’ group locally.
Key to this and ensuring the name
Royal Marines remained relevant was
enhancing what we did in the local
community as well as supporting
our serving colleagues at RMB
Chivenor and 11 ATTRM, Instow.
www.rma-trmc.org
Since then, the branch has established
regular fundraising events in the
area, supported local community
events and been on hand to assist
others, we aim to keep the profile
of the Charity and Corps Family
high, so we are accessible for all.
There is also a huge benefit working
closely with local RM establishments,
we want to keep the Association
and Charity relevant to the serving
Corps. We aim to demonstrate how
the branch operates and reassuring
the serving Corps it’s not all about
volunteering. The troops working
shoulder to shoulder with the “Old
and Bold” is a good combination
where the serving RMs get to talk to
the public in a more relaxed setting.
By flying the Corps flag together, it
enhances the wider reputation of
the Corps with the local community
and cements good relationships.
I believe both personally and as a
branch we take most pride in helping
others who want to support the charity
and are coming through our patch.
Over the years we have supported
veterans, serving RMs and wives.
To ensure we maintain operational and
have willing volunteers we never turn
anyone who wants to join us away,
so have evolved into a Tri-Service
Branch. Our other cap badges enjoy
what we have to offer, the RM mindset,
camaraderie, and support. They feel
part of a unique family where everyone
is valued. They see the work of our
Charity and get a profound sense of
personal pride and achievement that
they have played a part in helping.
Personally, I suspect leaving the service
early I never realised my full potential.
I have high personal standards and will
continually strive to do better, knowing
I am serving others. Why — I suppose
I inherited that mindset when I joined
the Corps, and it has never left me.
“I have a
responsibility to
those in my branch
and see my role as
Chair as one I relish
with a passion.
Knowing I am
helping those who
need our support.”
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