RNRU 3 Peaks Challenge – Cheques Presented on board HMS Victory

RNRU Three Peaks Challenge raises £8500 for BLESMA and RNRMC

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.

Doc Cox (left) and Aaron Moon on the summit of Snowdon. Aaron could not attend the cheque presentation due to ongoing medical requirements with his leg.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of BLESMA was Portsmouth Branch President Heather Priseman and her husband Peter.  Though Peter, a former member of the 2nd 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.

 

Heather and Peter Priseman receive a cheque for £6000 from Vice Admiral Phil Jones and Lt Ed Moss-Ward on behalf of BLESMA. Heather is President of the Portsmouth Branch of BLESMA whilst Adm Jones is President of the Royal Navy Rugby Union

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.

Hilary Jukes, fund raiser for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, gratefully receives a cheque for £1000 from Vice Admiral Phil JOnes, President of Royal Navy RUgby Union and Lt Cdr Doc Cox, Aaron’s former Head Coach

 

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.

John White, Aaron’s former Team Manager, presents Heather with a cheque from Care UK

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 100th Commanding Officer of HMS Victory for his excellent hosting on board the 1st Sea Lord’s flagship.

Thanks were expressed to the First Sea Lord via HMS Victory’s Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Rod Strathern, for the use of Nelson’s Great Cabin. From left to right Lt Ed Moss-Ward (organiser), Lt Cdr Rod Strathern (CO HMS Vicotry), John and Mel White (Care UK), Peter and Heather Priseman (BLESMA), Hilary Jukes (RNRMC), VAdm Phil Jones (RNRU), Lt Cdr Doc Cox (Organiser)

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.

Lt Ed Moss-Ward receives his Quaich from VAdm Phil Jones

 

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

 

 

The Challenge Team from left to right John White (former RN U23 Team Manager), Will Cairns (team mate), Jon Ryder, Mel White (Sports Therapist RN U23), Matt Kitson (team mate), Iain Whyte (former RN U23 Chairman) , Ed Moss-Ward, Cinders Ellor (team mate), Doc Cox (former RN U23 Head Coach)

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


A Tot of Pusser’s – Now Those Were the Days!!

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’

2 Responses

  1. John Walton
    | Reply

    With all those gongs Doc should be an Admiral.
    A fine achievement by everyone.
    Well done
    Whats the next challenge?

  2. Geraint
    | Reply

    Don’t give Doc ideas on either count!

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