Challenge team pays special visit to Erskine
Serving Royal Marines met veterans at Erskine Home yesterday as part of a 100day running challenge.
The Marines are running 1,664 miles around the UK in just 100 days and stopped off at Bishopton to run 16.64 miles in laps around the home in front of veterans.
The tore runners Corporals Jamie Thompson and Will Gingell – who will be doing the entire 1664 miles – completed the 16.64 miles supported by 12 additional runners from 43 Commando, which is based at Faslane on the Clyde.
Colonel Jock Fraser MBE, commanding officer of 43 Commando, said: “I was delighted to be at Erskine to join an element of the Royal Marines 1664 Challenge.
“The Royal Marines of 43 Commando are very pleased to be able to carry out part of this unique 100-day challenge here, as the endeavour highlights the important work of the Royal Marines Charity in supporting those serving and those who have served.
“Our Corps’ family phrase – once a Marine always a Marine – is especially apt here at Erskine, where veterans from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and other services are given such outstanding care and support.
“The serving Royal Marines completing the run today have been honoured to meet resident veterans and to exchange stories from times present and past.”
The 1,664-mile challenge is one of 100 challenges being planned around the globe over the next 100 days.
It started on April 25 in Plymouth and will finish on August 2 in London where the teams will be presented to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
All the challenges are linked by the figure 1664, the year the Royal Marines were formed.
Personnel from all Royal Marines Commando units, the Royal Marines Band and all reserve units from across the country are taking part, involving around 1,200 men and women. Together, they are raising money for the Royal Marines Charity.
It was set up in 2010 because of the disproportionately high fatalities and injuries suffered by the Royal Marines in Afghanistan.
It helps both serving and retired members of the Royal Marines family, including those injured on operations and their families.
Lieutenant Colonel Gary Green, the challenge organiser, said: “The challenge is a great opportunity for the wider corps family to get involved and to do something to raise money for the Royal Marines Charity.
“Royal Marines love to challenge themselves, whether that is skiing across Norway, cycling around the UK, running a ridiculous distance or maxing out on press-ups – it’s what they do.”