Three former Royal Marines from the Westcountry are taking on one of the world’s toughest treks with the dual aim of raising £100,000 for RMA-The Royal Marines Charity and raising awareness of its suicide prevention campaign. And, in a bid to make the most impact possible, members of the public are encouraged to complete their own challenges.
In recent years there has been a tragic rise in the number of former or serving Royal Marines taking their own lives. The charity launched its suicide prevention campaign Lifting the Lid to encourage members of the Royal Marines family, including veterans, family members, and the wider community, to open up and talk to someone if they’re struggling with their mental health.
The Royal Marines Brotherhood Walk began on Saturday 2 May, when Aldo Kane, Billy Perham and Al Chambers MBE set out on the Snowman Trek, a 362km high-altitude mountain trail across Bhutan, central Asia. The trek will involve the trio scaling 11 peaks, many more than 5,000m in altitude, in 30 days.
“Some of the toughest battles are the ones no one sees,” said Billy, 53, from Taunton. “Taking on this challenge is a way to stand together, push ourselves, and remind people that they don’t have to face their battles alone.”
Their feat will push them mentally and physically, and they also want to push the boundary of how much impact can be made through their challenge: within a week of first announcing it on social media, more than 100 people signed-up to take on a challenge of their own as part of the Brotherhood Virtual Challenge. Between now and 2 June, people can choose to complete their own challenge, be it walking, running, swimming, cycling, or rowing, on one day or over multiple days. Every mile travelled and every pound raised will make a difference.
Aldo, 47, from Bristol, said: “We train to be physically strong, but real strength is having the courage to speak up. If this challenge helps even one person open up, it’s worth it.”
Al, 56, from Bristol, added: “We’ve all faced moments that test us. What makes the difference is knowing someone’s beside you. This challenge is about showing that no one in our community has to fight alone.”
The event has been designed to bring serving and former Royal Marines, veterans, families and supporters together in one collective effort, and raise awareness that no one needs to suffer in silence.
Torbay fine artist Elizabeth Shaw/Indigo Zulu Ink has designed t-shirts for those who sign-up to the Royal Marines Brotherhood Virtual Challenge.
This expedition follows in the success of the Brotherhood Ride last September which saw the trio, plus former Royal Marine Paul White from Tiverton, ride a custom Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 motorcycle to every Royal Marines unit in Britain in a week.
For more information or to register your challenge click here.
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