RNRU 3 Peaks Challenge – Cheques Presented on board HMS Victory

It was entirely appropriate that a charity event inspired by former Royal Marine and Navy Rugby player Aaron Moon’s courage in the aftermath of his bomb blast injuries sustained in Afghanistan should present the cheques in Admiral Horatio Nelson’s Great Cabin on board HMS Victory.  BLESMA, the charity dedicated to assisting former and current service men and women whom have sustained the loss of limbs, would certainly have been of assistance to the Royal Navy’s most famous admiral.

The challenge of climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours was decided upon by Lt Cdr Michael ‘Doc’ Cox who had been Aaron’s head coach.  Ably assisted by Lt Ed Moss-Ward they had been the drive behind putting a team together for the challenge and ensuring its successful completion.  Three months after the challenge they were joined by the Deputy Fleet Commander and President of Royal Navy Rugby Union, Vice Admiral Phil Jones CB, as cheques totalling £8500 were presented to BLESMA and to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of BLESMA was Portsmouth Branch President Heather Priseman and her husband Peter.  Though Peter, a former member of the 2^nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, was probably taken aback at the need to stoop his still guardsman stance in the confines of HMS Victory, Heather was far more at home.  Heather’s father was of one of the founding members of the Portsmouth Branch, which was formed in 1943.  She knows only too well the impact of losing a limb as her father lost a leg whilst serving onboard HMS Cairo during the Malta Conveys.  It was through his and others shared experiences that the Portsmouth Branch was founded.  Heather reflected on her sadness that the injuries they are seeing today are as horrific as any that has gone before.

Hilary Jukes, the charity’s fund raising co-ordinator, received the cheque, for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. The RNRMC charity works with the full spectrum of Naval and Royal Marine Charities, including the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Reservist organisation to provide grants and support, which in term help those in the ‘Naval Family’ who are suffering hardship or are in distress.

A final cheque, from Care UK, was presented to BLESMA by John White a former WO1 in the Royal Navy.  He, along with daughter Mel, also from Care UK, were part of the team that achieved the challenge.  John had been Aaron’s team manager whilst Mel has not only been part of the medical support team for the Navy U23 XV but also provided the much needed medical support to the team during their challenge.

Both Hilary and Heather thanked Admiral Jones, Doc, Ed and the whole team for their support of charities and for raising such a significant amount of money.  They also thanked Lt Cdr Rod Strathern, the 100^th Commanding Officer of HMS Victory for his excellent hosting on board the 1^st Sea Lord’s flagship.

A final presentation of a Quaich was made to Ed Moss-Ward whose drive, energy and determination had made the event the success it was.

More information about the organisations mentioned can be found on their relevant websites.  They are just a click away:

BLESMA- The Limbless Veterans

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity

Care UK

Of course its success was due to those foolish enough to sign up for the challenge however the challenge event could not have taken place without the support of BLESMA, the RNRU and Codestrom PLC who all provided logistical support.

I have written a couple of articles on the challenge.  They can be found at the following links:

Challenge Preview

One Long Day

And the final word of thanks must go to HMS Victory and their CAF fund for the supply of the Bottle of Pusser’s Rum for the top of Snowdon.  As in Nelson’s day it is amazing what can be achieved by the lure of the ‘Tot’