WELL WE DIDI IT !!!  Team Vickers made it safely to the summit of Ben Nevis (and back down again - although there is another story there!!!).  Many, many thanks to everyone who sponsored us.  I have posted a couple of photos, just to prove we did do it, and I have amended our target to £1500 from £500 as we did so well before the climb it would be brilliant if we could raise a little bit more now we have achieved our goal.  Once again thanks to everyone who has donated and to all our friends and family who have provided their love and support and lastly to Gaz and Manny RIP xxx 

 

 

The RMBF was formed to relieve need, distress or hardship suffered by any person who is serving, has served or is a dependant of a Royal Marine, irrespective of rank. It also provides immediately on the death of either a serving RM or a reservist on duty a sum of money for the next of kin to help them cope with any pressing financial matters.

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Those of you who know me know that my son, Rob, was a Royal Marine Commando and that he served in Afghanistan during 2006-07.  In October 2006 Rob's best friend, Marine Gary Wright (Gaz), was killed by a suicide bomber.  As a family we have seen the despair the loss of a son brings as well as the sorrow for those friends and colleagues left behind. 

Since then another friend Sgt Jackie Manuel (Manny) has also been killed in Afghanistan and I have felt compelled to try to do something - anything - to try to raise awareness of the dangers our lads go through out there.  The problem is I didn't know what  I could do - until now. 

I would like to thank Tracy Gibson for organising this event because - well basically I am jumping on her bandwagon!!

Tracy's son is a serving Royal Marine and he too lost his best friend L/Cpl Jamie Fellows, killed in 2008.  Tracy has taken the bull by the horns and is helping to raise funds for The Royal Marine Benevolent Fund by organising family and friends to climb Ben Nevis on 14/8/2010. 

The RMBF is a relatively small charity who offer support to both serving and former Royal Marines. They have suffered a decline in support with the growing popularity of other charities such as Help for Heroes, so I feel this is a very worthwhile cause.  All of the money raised will go to help Marines - there are NO administration fees. 

Standing at 1,344 metres high (or 4,408 feet) Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles, and as such is a major challenge for anyone never mind me!  I will however be joined by my eldest daughter, Stephanie so the training and moral support I need will be in plentiful supply.  Rob has even threatened - sorry promised - to help me, no doubt I'll be going up there with a 90lb pack on my back haha!!  As an added bonus some serving Royal Marine Commandos will be joining us on our climb - I'll be behind them all the way!!!

Of course while moral support is fantastic and very gratefully received I also need your help to raise money for the charity (RMBF) and this is where you come in - donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thanks for your love and support and thanks for sticking with me - see you at the summit

Elaine xxxxx

 

8 July 2010

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of my friends and colleagues at HMRC for the encouragement and support they are providing on a daily basis.  For all the help and advice (don't do it!!!) and the support in my efforts to get fit, lose fat and make it to the top of the darn mountain!   I would also like to thank you all for sponsoring me and helping me get so close to my target. 

Even if David and Nick don't think so - you are the best!!!! 

Thanks all of you xxxxxx 

 

11 July

Oh my!!  Thank you to everyone who has donated today and especially those of you overseas who have been so generous.  Awesome - all of you xxx