RMC Impact Report 2022-23 v15 - Flipbook - Page 21
Royal Marines
Association
Royal Marines Association
Winter Deployment
Winter
Deployment
Five years ago, the
Royal Marines Club
— a branch of RMA —
introduced a ‘Winter
Deployment’ for our
wounded and injured
Royal Marines and their
families by offering
a respite break.
The week then began with ten-pin
bowling, and the option of walking and
mountain biking, and a group evening
meal was organised each night.
After three previous successful
outings to Norway, we were forced
to cancel this much-awaited annual
trip in 2020 because of strict Covid
regulations impacting overseas travel
In December 2021, uncertainty around
the situation remained a concern and,
so as not to miss yet another year, the
RM Club and the Charity decided to
take those families selected to Fort
William in Scotland for six days of
relaxation and winter-themed fun.
On Tuesday we took the group on an
exclusive tour of Loch Ness where
the families were very well hosted
by the crew. We may have even
seen the Loch Ness Monster but
it turned out that it was Ray Mead
(RM Club Ops Guru) who was just
looking over the side of the boat!
We then went on to pay our respects
at the Spean Bridge Memorial
where we were treated to some
‘proper’ Scottish winter weather.
On Friday, we started to say our
farewells and make our way home.
We were brilliantly hosted by Andrew
Liddle and his team at the Ben Nevis
Hotel. Huge thanks go also to all the
instructors who gave up their time —
you’re a superb bunch of people and
the trip wouldn’t have been the same
without you. We hope very much to
head back to Norway in December
2022 but, as a plan B, Fort William
came up trumps for all involved.”
Those leading the trip were the first
to arrive at the Ben Nevis Hotel in Fort
William. They checked everything
to make sure everything they had
planned to do was all still possible.
“It was a long trip to the Highlands
for many of the families so day one
was very much low key to allow
everyone to recover — however
everyone had the opportunity to
visit either the Glenfinnan viaduct
(of Harry Potter fame) for a walk and
leg-stretch, or go to Fort William
for a look around the town.
Thursday saw us all head off to
Glencoe for a morning’s sledging.
Everyone got right into the spirit of
things and after the sledging, a mass
snowball fight broke out where there
were no winners... just survivors!
We were escorted there by two
police motorbikes courtesy of former
RM officer and now senior police
officer, Conrad Trickett… thanks
Conrad, the boys were brilliant.
“A fantastic time
was had by all —
friendships were
made and renewed.”
Wednesday was another busy day
with a visit to the local distillery and
a Christmas dinner in the evening.
We paid our respects to absent
friends and were delighted to be
joined by members of the Highland
branch who made the trip from
Inverness to join us. A great night
was had by all and there were some
sore heads on display next day!
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RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Impact Report 2022–2023
www.rma-trmc.org
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