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Article from blog section published on February 22, 2012

Fighting For – A Poem

In the office, we receive a lot of correspondence which sometimes is quite harrowing to read. This arrived recently in our office, in a plain envelope and handwritten on a sheet of lined paper ripped from a notebook. There was no signature or return address so the author remains anonymous.

It has moved us all so much, we felt we had to share this remarkable poem.

Fighting for

For my child.

I packed my bag and said goodbye

I didn’t want to see you cry

I hoped you wouldn’t wonder why

I’m leaving you for war

I sailed away far out to sea

I hoped that you’d remember me

And one day that you would see

Why I had to go to war

I place your photo by my bed

I say goodnight and kiss your head

And think of stories we have read

In the dim lit bunk of war

I hope that you are safe and strong

My duties here will not go wrong

And I’ll return where I belong

With you and not at war

 

For my love.

I write a letter just in case

I don’t return to see that face

The sea’s the final resting place

For sailors lost at war

If in some far off foreign land

Or some sun scorched desert sand

I’m broken by another’s hand

Then flown back from the war

Don’t salute as I return

Pray a peace we all will earn

Before our children take their turn

To suffer in a war

My child without a mum or dad

Will never live a life so glad

As many others children had

Because I went to war

 

For my nation.

To fight for country, and for queen

To fight for those I’ve never seen

To fight for comrades in the war

But, it’s my child I’m fighting for

If I return all broken, or don’t return at all

I pray my country and my queen

I hope all those I’ve never seen

Remember it’s my child that’s been

Their casualty of war

So do your bit to honour us

And keep our children safe

Just as we lived to honour you

And took our dreaded place

Amongst the pain and sorrow and suffering we saw

Don’t let our little children be lost casualties of war.

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Article from news & newsletters section published on February 22, 2012

Phil Packer’s Brit 2012 Challenge

Phil Packer has lent a considerable amount of support to the RNRM Children’s Fund and we are delighted to support him in his latest challenge, Brit 2012.

Phil Packer MBE is calling on the young people, businesses and the British public to join him as he walks 2012 miles across Great Britainduring 2012 to raise £15million to build a Centre of Inspirational Excellence for young people facing  adversity.

The BRIT 2012 Challenge will begin on 24 January when Phil, the founder of the British Inspiration Trust who suffered severe spinal cord damage in 2008 and was told it was highly unlikely he would walk again, will set out on his 2012-mile walk, starting at Chichester College inWest Sussex. Over the course of the year he will make his way through locations chosen by young people in everycounty ofEngland,Northern Ireland,Scotland, andWales, including Jersey,Guernsey and the Isle of Man. On the way, he will meet many of Great Britain’s youth who are facing physical and mental adversity, from community groups, schools, colleges and charities who will join Phil at the chosen locations where he will walk.

Find out more here.

Article from events front page fundraising news & newsletters section published on February 8, 2012

Planes, Games and Automobiles – a great day out for the whole family

Monday June 4th 2012 (Jubilee Bank Holiday)

Goodwood Motor Circuit

 www.fundaysforcharity.eu

 Come and celebrate the Jubilee with us on a right royal day out in the heart of Sussex at the wonderful Goodwood circuit/Aerodrome, home to the world famous Revival meeting.

We have arranged something for everybody from a Track Day and a Fly In to face painting and games and everything in between.  Whether you want to bring a picnic and join us for a Jubilee Street Party complete with bunting and cakes or just come along and look at the wonderful classic cars on display – possibly even going on your own Dream Ride around the surrounding countryside.  Children can enter our cake baking competition, or turn up in 1950s fancy dress – the best outfit wins a prize.  We are running a Craft competition to celebrate Her Majesty’s Jubilee – templates for crowns and diamonds are on the website and the completed hanging collage will be presented to the Queen by the Children’s Fund.

For you real petrol-heads out there you can book a place on the Track Day and get to drive around the motorcircuit itself.

 

Details of the day and all the options and activities available are on the website www.fundaysforcharity.eu  Come along for free – some rides may be charged for and there is a charge to participate in the Track Day.

Article from events fundraising news & newsletters section published on February 8, 2012

New Forest Festival of Running

Organised by Naked Strength

Saturday 10th / Sunday 11th March 2012

 http://nakedstrength.co.uk/events/new-forest-festival-of-running/

This promises to be the biggest and best weekend of Running the south has seen for many years – and what makes it better, it’s done the Naked Strength way so there’s something for everyone to take part in. From absolute novice to National elite, young to old, racing snakes to those who consider themselves a little larger than they’d like, our doors are open and we welcome you to a big scale event that still holds a personal and friendly appeal.

The Red Shoot Camping Park (Event HQ) is situated in the most perfect location to access theNew Forest whilst keeping you off the roads. Because we’ve focused on Location, Location, Location all of these runs have limited places and we will be operating a shuttle bus service from the off site car parks which are less than a 4 minute bus ride. The Naked Strength Events Team have taken the view that you would much prefer an amazing and safe run in the heart of theForest, rather than a hard road slog to get amongst the ponies!!!

We are very much about your sport being part of your family so please bring them along to support; there will be variety of children’s activities and retail outlets to keep them occupied whilst you’re out in theNew Forest…

Article from events fundraising news & newsletters press section published on January 31, 2012

Phone helps Harriet Bond thanks to RNRMCF

A Naval officer’s daughter with serious health issues has benefitted from a donation by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund.

A seriously-ill teenage girl, Harriet Bond – the daughter of submariner Lt Ian Bond – has received a life-changing Christmas gift thanks mainly to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund and Naval welfare support service.

Harriet, aged 13, has been given a special text-based mobile phone to allow her to communicate more regularly with friends and family.

Until now Harriet has been loaned a similar phone – called a Lightwriter Connect and costing almost £5,000 – during her daytime attendance at the Lavinia Norfolk Centre in Angmering, a centre for young children with physical, mental, medical and sensory difficulties.

But having her own, upgraded model – which has been funded by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund charity and two local Rotary clubs – will open up her world 24 hours a day.

She will be able to stay in touch with her group of close friends plus when necessary have phone conversations with mum Sarah, dad Ian and 19-year-old brother Henry.

She became seriously ill in 2006 with a rare neurological condition Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM).

She suffered another episode of the illness in 2009 which left her with severe mobility, speech and feeding difficulties, although her intellectual capabilities remain intact.

Harriet’s family has been supported throughout her illness by the Naval Personal and Family Service and Royal Marines Welfare which offers a comprehensive social work service to RN personnel and their families.

They played a big part, securing the funds to ensure Harriet receives the £4,585 Lightwriter in time for Christmas.

Two special mounts to allow the Lightwriter to be fitted to Harriet’s two wheelchairs were provided by the Snowdrop charity.

Harriet’s submariner father, Lt Bond, said: “Harriet’s illness has been devastating to our family; she is such a lovely, full-of-life girl who always has a smile on her face.

“Her first episode of ADEM saw her make a very good recovery in a short space of time. However this time around her improvements have been a lot slower. We all remain positive that her recovery will continue to improve.

“The level of support she has received has been extremely uplifting.

“This new Lightwriter will enable her to socialise with her new friends she is making at Lavinia Norfolk Centre.

“Thank you just doesn’t sound enough but we are all very grateful to all who have helped her.”

 

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