Amanda and John – a dynamic husband-and-wife duo from a lifelong Royal Navy family – are taking on the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity’s (RNRMC) “Race Across the UK” in a bid to raise vital funds and awareness for service personnel and their families.
The challenge, which spans from Edinburgh to Dartmouth without the use of modern-day navigation or transport luxuries, offers participants a true test of spirit, resilience, and purpose. But for Amanda and John – The Gen X Strollers – it’s more than just an adventure. It’s a deeply personal cause rooted in their life experiences.
With over 30 years of life in the Royal Navy, John and Amanda are no strangers to the challenges and rewards of service life. As a Navy family, they’ve experienced first-hand the support that the RNRMC provides to serving personnel and their loved ones. Having both benefitted from and volunteered for the charity, they saw Race Across the UK as a fun and meaningful challenge.
John, still serving at HMS Raleigh after more than three decades in the Navy, explains:
“RNRMC has been a part of our lives from the beginning – from ship upgrades at sea to major support projects at HMS Raleigh. This challenge is a way for us to give back to a charity that’s woven into the fabric of our service life.”
Amanda adds:
“I’ve volunteered with RNRMC before, and we’ve seen first-hand the incredible support they offer from the day someone signs up, right through to life after service. We wanted to do something fun, challenging, and meaningful – and Race Across the UK felt like the perfect opportunity.”
The couple has already raised hundreds through creative fundraising, including a specially brewed and sold barrel of beer dubbed “Retaken Relay” at HMS Raleigh’s Falklands Commemorative Dinner.
With strong roots in Dartmouth – where Amanda was born, her family still lives, and where the couple first met – the fact that the race finishes there adds an extra sentimental layer to their journey.
Amanda reflects:
“The fundraising feels more daunting than the race itself right now – but we’re excited and getting inspired by watching shows like Race Across the World! It’s a bit outside of our comfort zone, but that’s part of the adventure.”
To register your team, visit:
https://lupine.co.uk/race/2025-rnrmc-race-across-the-uk.html
