RMA-RMC-Impact-Report-2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 10
Funders’ focus
Winter deployment
Aim
Provide annual respite for
wounded and injured Royal
Marines and their families
in a relaxed atmosphere
Target
Corps family
Timeframe
Ongoing
Days out included visits
to the Glenfinnan viaduct
(of Harry Potter fame), Loch Ness,
and to the Commando Memorial at
Spean Bridge and newly re-furbished
Memorial Garden where a wreath
was laid to honour the fallen.
We were grateful that a grant from
the Armed Forces Covenant Fund
Trust — Force for Change, funded the
transport to and from Inverness for 20
older members of our Highland Branch,
enabling them to join one of the
evening dinners, enjoy the fellowship
of younger veterans and their families,
and share advice and experiences
of past and recent campaigns.
The visit was the trip of a
lifetime for many. It has
been heartening to hear
that it will be forever
In the five years pre-Covid, our own
Corps families had traditionally been
hosted by SIOPS in Rondane, Norway,
where countless Royal Marines have
gone to complete their winter training
courses. However, the decision was
made to again host in Scotland what
has become a much-anticipated event,
with its timing to coincide with the
similar families’ gathering in Norway.
The annual pre-Christmas respite break
encourages a relaxed atmosphere and
gives families a chance to enjoy each
other’s company and make precious
memories. There is the added bonus
of new friendships being forged,
creating even closer unity between
Norwegian and British veteran families.
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Impact Report 2023/24
270
Mission
remembered as a fabulous week filled
with fun and camaraderie. There was
even some snow too, so toboggans
were in high demand! Our
Norwegian visitors added
that they found it
‘very interesting and
powerful’ to hear
the stories about
the 25,000+
soldiers from
many countries,
including
Norway, who
between 1942–25
had received
training in and
around this very special
and historically significant
area of the Scottish Highlands.
In early December, the Royal Marines
Association hosted another week of
winter fun for families of injured Royal
Marines at the Ben Nevis
Hotel in Fort William,
Scotland. They were
joined by two
families of veterans
from Norway,
accompanied by
three members of
staff from SIOPS
(a Norwegian
military charity
for veterans of
operational service).
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290
300
Improving morale
for injured RMs —
Winter Deployment