News

Royal Navy Ski Team’s Valiant World Record Attempt Raises Vital Money for Charity

A fearless group of Royal Navy skiers have completed a gruelling 24-hour world record attempt in order to raise money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).

The team took to the Gloucester Dry Ski Slope on Thursday 28th September with the aim of skiing from 5pm to 5pm the next day. The distance that the group aimed to ski would break the world record for distance skied on an artificial slope.

Despite initial problems with the ski slope’s drag lift, the Royal Navy skiers got off to a flying start on the Thursday evening. Supported on their first leg by Paralympic skier Millie Knight and her guide, Royal Marine, Brett Wild, the team were given amazing encouragement as they carved into the night.

Read more

Falklands Trek Challenge in November

From 19th – 28th November, eight Falklands veterans and twelve injured servicemen from more recent conflicts will embark on a 75 mile trek across the Falklands, to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Falklands War. Many of the injured servicemen we have met in recent years from the conflicts of Iraq and Afghanistan joined the military because of the Falklands conflict. They have met and made friends with Falklands veterans through attending the NFA’s events over the years.

Read more

Blind veteran from County Durham completes Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon for charity that supports him

A blind veteran from County Durham has completed the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, after it supported him following his sight loss.

David Cranson, 63, competed in what was his 23rd fundraising challenge for the charity since joining in June 2007. David, who suffers from bilateral optic atrophy, says: “The London crowds were as fantastic as ever. People were recognising the name on my vest and the support was endless. My guide, James, even said he was astonished at the number of people shouting for me!

Read more

Brecon couple’s 2,300km bike ride smashes target to raise £7,000 for veterans in Wales

A BRECON COUPLE who cycled 2,300km through France and Spain to raise funds for veterans support service Change Step say they are already planning their next long-distance bike ride.

Jonathan and Amanda Barnett raised almost £7,000 for the project, which provides effective peer mentoring and practical help for former members of the Armed Forces — including assistance with mental health, substance misuse and other issues.

The couple pedalled from Cherbourg in the north of France to Gibraltar, at the southern tip of Spain, inside four weeks, covering up to 150km at a time and rattling through France without a rest day.

Read more

Blind veteran from East Sussex to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

A blind veteran from East Sussex is currently training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Mark Threadgold, 49 and from Saltdean, has long aspired to climb the mountain, which, at 5,895m, is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. He says: “I’ve wanted to do it for years now. I don’t know exactly why, but it’s just always been an ambition of mine. For whatever reason, this year just made the most sense, so here we are!”

Read more

Veterans celebrate end of gruelling 8-week round-Britain sailing expedition

A tall ship emerged from the mist into Falmouth Harbour on Sunday (Oct 1) as a crew of injured veterans marked an emotional conclusion to a gruelling round-Britain sailing expedition.

Seventeen military veterans celebrated the completion of the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge – a 2000-nautical-mile voyage by finishing at Port Pendennis. Hardy participants had endured ferocious weather conditions – including menacing waves and wild gusts of up to 40 knots – in what organisers described as being ‘a challenge like no other’.

The return of the 92-foot long tall ship to Falmouth, where the challenge began on August 5, signaled the end of an epic marathon that has taken them to 15 ports across 3 countries.

Read more

UK team sets off to compete at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017

The team will join 16 other nations at the international event for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

A 90-strong team of wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel have departed from London Heathrow for Toronto, Canada to represent the UK in the third Invictus Games.

The eight-day sporting event will see 550 individuals from 17 nations compete across 12 sports including athletics, wheelchair basketball, swimming and a new sport for 2017, golf. The event will begin with an opening ceremony on 23 September at the Air Canada Centre, featuring Canadian singers Sarah McLachlan and Alessia Cara, and will finish with a closing ceremony on 30 September with performances from Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams.

Read more

Former Airman from Swansea heading to Canada to represent United Kingdom

Former Senior Aircraftsman Matt Neve has been selected to represent the United Kingdom in the archery event at the Invictus Games in Toronto.

Matt, who lives in Swansea, will join 90 other wounded, injured and sick UK military personnel and veterans as they compete in the third Invictus Games competition, following the inaugural event in London in 2014.

Matt, now 32, joined the Royal Air Force as a driver in 2001 at just 16-years-old.

Read more

Fife amputee set for Invictus Games 

An RAF Regiment veteran, who will take part in this year’s Invictus Games, has spoken out about how sport helped turn his life around when an accident left him with life-changing injuries.

Michael Mellon, of Cardenden, was just 17 when he joined the RAF in 1997 following his father, sister and brother into military service.

In 2001, while playing in a RAF Rugby match, Mike fractured his tibia and fibula bones which resulted in compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a painful and potentially serious condition caused by bleeding or swelling within an enclosed bundle of muscles – known as a muscle “compartment”.

Read more

Saltdean writer and poet competes in Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge for military charity he volunteers for

A writer and poet from Saltdean has competed in Revolve 24, the Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge, for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-service men and women, for whom he is a volunteer.

David Attree, 44 and a long time cycling enthusiast, grew up in Brighton near the charity’s training and rehabilitation centre, and has therefore been aware of the work the charity does for a long time. He says: “Since my early childhood I’ve been fully aware of the wonderful work Blind Veterans UK does in providing opportunities for blind veterans to regain their confidence and lead fulfilling lives.”

Read more
Items 321 to 330 of 499
Our Executive Members

By @Cobseo 55 years ago

Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here