NAVY NEWS, NOVEMBER 2008 19
in br
news
ief

RNBT extends
a helping hand
FORMER sailor PO(Radar)
Eric Cross has been helped
by a grant from the Royal
Naval Benevolent Trust
(RNBT).
Eric, who served a full 22 years
in the Royal Navy, was one of
the men who helped dispose of
the bomb that dropped on HMS
Antrim during the Falklands
Conflict, cutting through the metal
deck to get to the unexploded
bomb.
Despite having served his full
stint with the RN and even having
served with the RNBT, Eric did
not think of turning to the RNBT
for help when a shoulder injury
forced him to stop work.
He said: “I didn’t think I’d get
help from the RNBT as I used to
sit on the Grants Committee in
the 1960s and 1970s, serving as
Commandos
a committee member for seven
years.
“Having been on the committee,
I thought I’d never be able to get ● WO2 ‘Pincher’ Martin takes
climb for
part in his fi rst triathlon aged 48 help myself.”
When Eric fell into difficulties,
■ WO2 ‘PINCHER’ Martin he arranged to see the local council
of MOD Abbey Wood has just housing officer, who advised him
completed his first triathlon aged to contact SSAFA Forces Help. CF Trust
48 in aid of charity Epilepsy SSAFA in turn contacted
Research. the RNBT asking for financial
CLIMB Commando brought Mne Goddard added: “It was
Pincher said: “I did it in memory assistant to help Eric clear his
together two Royal Marine tough work but we’re bootnecks
of my son who died of an epileptic utility bill arrears.
Commandos, L/Cpl Joe Hogan so we got over any problems.
convulsion in 2000. With RNBT’s help, Eric has
and Mne Patrick Goddard, and “To put it into perspective
“My son died while I was on cleared his rent and electricity
one journalist, Joe Clapson, to though, I’d say up on Mont Blanc
leave from supporting HMS backlog, and life is now restored
climb to the summit of Mont with the wind chill it was colder
Tireless when she was in Gibraltar to an even keel.
Blanc and conquer the Haute than cold weather training in
undergoing a major repair.” Eric, who now keeps to a strict
Route across the Alps. Norway.”
Pincher completed his first budget, said: “Now I’m straight,
The three (pictured above) Their trekking efforts were
triathlon in two hours 37 minutes, I’m laughing – and all thanks
raised £10,000 for the Cystic backed by mountaineers Sir
but it determined to shave at least to the Royal Naval Benevolent
Fibrosis Trust, a charity that Ranulph Fiennes and Sir Chris
seven minutes off that time in next Trust.”
funds research into the condition, Bonington, and by the Prime
● Naval veteran Eric Hill looks down at the small white ensign that
year’s London Triathlon. For more information, contact he rescued from his locker on HMS Antrim which had been blown
ensures care for those living with Minister Gordon Brown, whose
If you would like to support the RNBT at rnbt@rnbt.org.uk or apart by the force of the bomb ripping through the decks during the
CF, and offers information and son Fraser has cystic fibrosis.
his efforts, send cheques payable call 023 9266 0296. Falklands War
support to anyone affected. L/Cpl Hogan said: “It was
to Epilepsy Research to him at
The three men began from a massive boost to have Sir
DE&S, Cedar 31, Mailpoint 3340,
MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol BS34 Haslar
Chamonix in France, before Ranulph and Sir Chris as patrons,
running, walking and climbing and receiving a letter from the
8JH or call 9352 33297.
160km across snow, ice and rocks Prime Minister motivated us even
■ THE Naval Families Federation
takes up
to Zermatt in Switzerland. more.
L/Cpl Hogan, whose brother “Knowing the Prime Minister
has benefited from a donation of
suffers with the condition, said: was following our fundraising
£4,747 from insurers Towergate
Wilsons.
oars
“It was an awesome experience efforts was a real incentive to do
which we will never forget. well.”
Jackie Jackson of the charity
“All the hard work and long The three are urging supporters
said: “We are a small team,
hours in all sorts of conditions to keep donating to help them
WORLD Radiography Day on
and run on a small budget, but
were well worth it. The views on burst through their target of
November 8 is being marked by
with a big message to get out
top of Mont Blanc were amazing £10,000 at www.justgiving.com/
staff from Royal Hospital Haslar
worldwide.
and hopefully we’ve raised a lot of climbcommando.
by a rowing challenge.
“This money will enable us
awareness for the CF Trust.” With thanks to Joe Clapson
Set up by Chief Radiographer
to do that by allowing us to
CPO Mark Dolan, a team of ten
purchase marketing materials
and promotional items that we
men and women will set out to
can then take to any events that
row 100km on a rowing machine
Lourdes lookback
we attend around the country.”
to raise money for charity Help
THE Joint Services Hosanna House Group pilgrimage took place in
for Heroes.
Lourdes once again this year, taking a group of ex-Service personnel and
Mark said: “The team has
their dependents with special needs to the French town.
■ THE British Forces
Broadcasting Service (BFBS)
serving and former members
Group leader Richard Tipping said: “During times of war, Lourdes
handed over the proceeds of its
from all three Services involved,
welcomed the sick and injured and afterwards prayed for those who had
● Sailors from destroyer HMS Gloucester at the Trafalgar Cemetery
Big Salute to fi ve Forces’ charities:
and due to this we have decided
in Gibraltar
crossed the bar, consoled the living and worked for peace.
BLESMA (British Limbless
to use this as a chance to raise
“Fifty years ago the French military invited their arch-rivals the
Ex-Service Men’s Association);
Combat Stress; Headley Court;
Sprucing up Trafalgar
funds for the charity.
German military to a Pilgrimage of Peace, and this has grown annually
“Especially as many of us have until this year over 33 countries sent over 20,000 military in their full
Veterans Aid and St Dunstan’s.
spent time on operations in Iraq ceremonial dress.”
Since its launch in May the
and Afghanistan in recent times This year the Bishop to the Forces Bishop Tom Burns said mass on
ONE of the Navy’s sacred grounds was a lot of dead vegetation that
BFBS Big Salute has raised over
and seen what our soldiers are
has once again received a spruce- needed picking up,” he said.
the grass at Hosanna House; the same gardens which were the site of
£75,000.
dealing with and witnessed the
up as the result of the visit by 14 In total some 43 full bags
the Hosanna House Barbecue with the military band laying on enter-
price they are paying for serving
volunteers from destroyer HMS of rubbish, unwanted plants
tainment.
our country.” Richard said: “Other highlights of our pilgrimage are the marching
■ MOTORCYCLISTS were urged
Gloucester. and dead vegetation were taken
to take to two wheels in memory
The warship’s Lt Dickie Byrd away.
The rowers will be found from with our Service comrades through the streets of Lourdes behind the
of all the troops that have died
visited the Trafalgar Cemetery Fellow organiser POMA Jon
10am toiling away on a row- band, being applauded by the onlookers – making this a very emotional
on duty since World War 2.
in Gibraltar and realised that Coates said: “It has been a delight
ing machine at the Royal Navy moment.”
The 17-mile ride saw the
a spot of extra work by willing to help out in a place that holds
Submarine Museum in Gosport, If you would like to find out more about the group, contact Richard
motorcyclists head to the
Naval hands would make all the so much history and that a lot
next to RH Haslar. Tipping on 01752 787697 or visit the website at jshhg507hq.com.
National Memorial Arboretum in
difference. of young sailors onboard took
Staffordshire to attend a short
“The drains were full of leaves great pleasure in volunteering
memorial service to the Armed
and discarded litter, some of the their services to help maintain this
Forces on October 11.
graves were overgrown, and there historical site.”
■ RUNNING the London
Marathon, Lt Justin Cloney and
Armed Forces Memorial
CPO Kenny Walker collected
£5,050 for Macmillan Nurses.
The two raised the money in wins popular vote
conjunction with BAE Systems,
where the two men are based
THE Armed Forces Memorial in Staffordshire has been voted the
at the Barrow shipyard while
UK’s favourite Lottery-funded heritage project.
submarine HMS Astute is being
At the National Lottery Awards screened on BBC1 the memorial
fitted out.
won the title of Best Heritage Project and a £2,000 cash prize.
The memorial was up against hundreds of other organisations
from across the UK – and this year a record number of votes were
cast.
in br
news
ief

Chairman of the Armed Forces Memorial Trust Vice Admiral Sir
John Dunt said: “The Memorial has benefited enormously from
Lottery funding and allowed us to build a truly inspirational Memorial
to all members of our Armed Forces who have been killed on duty or
terrorism since World War 2.
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