18 NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2008
Mike sets
out to beat
stress by
triathlon
FORMER Navy commando
Mike Kearney is tackling the
Plymouth Triathlon as Navy
News goes to press to fundraise
for Combat Stress.
The medic spent 15 years as a
regular then reservist in the Navy,
serving with most of the units of
3 Commando Brigade. He said:
“I have decided to undertake this
challenge as a way of highlighting
the work of Combat Stress.
“The charity exists to support
serving and ex-servicemen cope
with psychological problems that
started or were exacerbated by
service in the Forces.
“With the current high level
operations that are going on
in Iraq and Afghanistan, this
● WO Kevin Shackell RMR who surprised Emily Nugent with a dream holiday
problem is only set to get worse.
“Combat Stress tries through
its residential centres to recreate
the service environment so its
● CPO ‘Tug’ Wilson (right) looks on as his crewmates race Bulwark
(below) along the length of the Kiel Canal Pictures: LA(Phot) Pepe Hogan
patients can work through their
individual problems with other
Kiel-hauling
A dreamy
like-minded people, while still
receiving professional care.”
If you would like to sponsor
Michael, visit www.justgiving.
com/michaelkearney
IT’S ONE of those mildly Capt Jeremy Blunden, the
barking ideas that only the Royal Commanding Officer of HMS
Navy would take on... man Bulwark, took on the final challenge
He didn’t
against 20,000 tonnes of assault of the last 1,000m, cheered on by
ship. his ship’s company.
Marine
CPO David ‘Tug’ Wilson, a At the final tally, the crew beat
want to
veteran fundraiser on the rowing the ship by a resounding 26.5km.
machine, suggested a man against Once he had caught his breath
SCHOOLGIRL Emily Nugent her something to look forward to Her mother Sally said: “This
assault ship challenge as HMS back, Capt Blunden said: “The
was sat in her classroom
after a pretty challenging year and is wonderful news. Emily is a
listening to her teacher when
more.” remarkable girl and has pulled
win...
Bulwark headed into the Kiel ship’s company have proven
Canal. too quick for Bulwark in this she was somewhat surprised
Her battle with cancer began in through this with sheer willpower.
A SOMEWHAT surprised
The concept was simple – 100 instance.
to see a Royal Marine walk
February 2007, and the schoolgirl “Even when she was on high
Zach Diment impressed Naval
of the ship’s company would each “I’m not sure they would beat
in...
has endured the rigours of nine doses of radiotherapy she insisted
engineers at Sultan Show. Not
row 1,000 metres at top speed the ship through Panama or Suez
months of chemotherapy and two on being dropped off at school
WO Kevin Shackell of
with his technical know-how but
as their ship made the 100km though.
months of radiotherapy. again to see her classmates.”
Birmingham’s Royal Marine
his spatial awareness.
passage through the Schleswig- “It’s been a fun and thoroughly
Reserves arrived unannounced to
Zach was the first £50
Holstein peninsula from the Baltic enjoyable challenge, and we have
call her forward to present her
winner at the hoopla stall run
Sea at Kiel to the North Sea at also managed to raise some money
with tickets for a dream holiday.
by the Royal Naval Engineers
Brunsbutell. for the ship’s charities.”
End of service no
The story of Emily, aged 10,
Benevolent Society at this year’s
and her battle with cancer inspired
bar to St Dunstan’s
fundraising show, expertly
the reservist to nominate her as
landing seven out of seven hoops.
the recipient of his fundraising for
Apparently Zach was only
charity Destination Florida.
aiming to get six of the seven
Kevin, a reservist for 28 years, THE ROLE of charity St Dunstan’s in helping blind ex-Servicemen
hoops in order to win the MP3
and RM friends raised £11,000 and women is often overlooked in post-Service life.
player, but was still quite happy
by abseiling from the roof of One good example of that is Radio Operator Chris Humphreys,
to walk away with the top prize...
Manchester Town Hall. who served from 1967 to 1978 in the Navy’s frigates, destroyers
He said: “This is a charity I and shore bases.
believe passionately in. The look Chris’ sight problems worsened in later life and he was registered
Yomping
on these youngsters’ faces when blind in 2002, however although as a former Serviceman he knew
we get them out to Florida is truly about St Dunstan’s, he thought the organisation only catered for
a sight to behold. the war blinded.
for Heroes
“I heard about Emily through However his local Social Services in Hampshire informed him
her uncle and have got to know that St Dunstan’s had changed its constitution so that any former
THIS September the Once a
the family since. Emily is a real Service man or woman can apply, if suffering from significant sight
Marine, Always a Marine website
ball of fire and displays all the loss.
are planning a fundraising yomp
characteristics that Royal Marines St Dunstan’s has helped Chris with practical guidance courses
across Dartmoor to gather money
admire of courage and humour in and the provision of IT equipment so that he can manage his family
for Help for Heroes.
adversity.” responsibilities and communication independently.
The event, which will be host-
Emily – normally a non-stop Chris said: “I cannot praise St Dunstan’s enough.
ed by former and serving Royal
talker – was initially speechless, “As someone who lost my sight in later life, I was used to doing
Marines, is open to entry by
but when she’d recovered from my own thing and being independent.
serving or former personnel from
the shock, said: “This is a dream “St Dunstan’s dispels the myth that if you’re blind you can’t
all three Services, and people
NEED initial FREE come true. I’ve always wanted to do certain things. With the help of their specialist training and
can even choose how far to walk
go to America. I cannot wait to go rehabilitation programme, you soon realise that you can do many of
along the 12-mile route across
to SeaWorld and Disney.” the things you did before – and more besides.”
the southern part of Dartmoor
LEGAL ADVICE?
Her father Martin said: “Words St Dunstan’s offers lifelong support, providing welfare,
from Bickleigh to Princetown.
cannot begin to describe what this rehabilitation, training, respite and nursing care for blind and
Find out more by visiting
Then contact: means to us all. It will really give seriously visually impaired ex Service men and women.
www.dartmooryomp.co.uk
Tour de Forces
TWO members of the Royal 127km with both Lt Adam
A Nationwide network of highly experienced Independent Solicitors
Navy were part of a 31-strong Gibbs and Lt Cdr Chambers
team that took part in the finishing in the lead pack at
Who advise and represent Service Personnel, Reservists, the
gruelling 530km Cyprus Cycle the sprint.
Civil Service and their Families
Challenge this year, writes On the third day the
Tracey Phillips in Cyprus. challenge moved up a gear
Lt Cdr Paul Chambers, officer with the cyclists taking on the
Contact:
commanding 2 Squadron at the demand of hillier terrain with
Joint Service Signals Unit, and sharp ascents to climb.
0845 601 1260 Lt Adam Gibb, on detachment The final day was in a league
to the Cyprus Joint Service of its own as the riders had to
Adventure Training Centre, summon up the energy to take
or
took part in the four-day event on the 6,501ft climb to the
to raise money for the Dreams finish at the summit of Mount
www.forceslaw.com
Come True charity. Troodos.
Members from all three The Navy contingent broke
for a Local Lawyer who
Services, plus a contingent of away early and were part of the
civilians set off on day one of lead pack as the experienced
SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE
the challenge from the top of riders began the demanding
Mount Troodos to complete climb. ● Lt Adam Gibb and Lt Cdr Paul Chambers
COURTS MARTIAL • DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES • EMPLOYMENT
the 161km cycle to the home Lt Gibbs was well placed
and REINSTATEMENT of RESERVE FORCES PERSONNEL • SERVICE
of the Joint Services Signals for a podium finish when the dehydration Lt Gibbs remained The event raised 3,500 Euros
INVESTIGATIONS • CRIME • HOUSE or BUSINESS PURCHASE
Unit at Ayios Nikolaos. effects of exhaustion began with the pack and came in fifth (£2,794) for Dreams Come
or SALE including LSAP’s • DIVORCE CHILDREN PENSIONS and Day two saw the cyclists to set in, and he left his water- overall, followed only minutes True, the charity that supports
TERMINAL GRANTS • ACCIDENTS and COMPENSATION • ARMED make their way to RAF Akrotiri, bottle at the side of the road. later by Lt Cdr Chambers who seriously-ill children and their
FORCES COMPENSATION SCHEME PREVIEW • WILLS or covering a moderately flat Despite the onset of finished in seventh place. families.
DEATH of a RELATIVE
0018-019_NN_aug08.indd 118-019_NN_aug08.indd 1 111/7/08 16:01:281/7/08 16:01:28
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