Three former Royal Marines from the Westcountry have completed 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. They were supported by around a hundred people who completed 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 involved Aldo Kane and Al Chambers MBE, both from Bristol, and Billy Perham, from Taunton, completing the formidable Snowman Trek, a 362km high-altitude mountain trail across Bhutan, central Asia, in 27 days, finishing on 28 May.
After three days of acclimatisation, the trio set off, trekking for around eight hours a day at altitudes above 3,000m, crossing 11 mountain passes, some exceeding 5,000m. All camping equipment and food for the expedition was transported by 15 horses, and they were accompanied by a local six-man support team. They took just two rest days, one at the midpoint when the horses were swapped over.
“Like many people, I’ve been impacted by suicide, said Billy, 53, from Taunton, who has 32 years’ service. “A number of friends of mine have taken their own lives.
“This expedition was about showing people that they don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. Some of the toughest battles are the ones no one sees. A small conversation with a friend or family member can be just as important as climbing any mountain.”
For Billy, the greatest challenge was managing fatigue after long days crossing demanding terrain, much of it covered by snow.
“It was exhausting,” he continued. “There were times when I really had to dig deep and focus on putting one foot in front of the other. We also endured 10 consecutive days without sunshine, which made communications difficult as we were heavily reliant on battery power charged via solar panels.”
Billy said the message behind the expedition is as important now as it was when the team set out. “Mental health challenges don’t discriminate,” he added. “They can affect anyone. The charity's Lifting the Lid campaign is about breaking down stigma, encouraging open conversations and creating an environment where people feel able to seek support early.
“The Royal Marines Brotherhood Walk may be over, but the reason for undertaking it remains. If sharing our journey encourages just one person to start a conversation, seek help, or check in on a friend, then every step we took through the Himalayas of Bhutan was worthwhile.”
Within a week of the charity first announcing the feat on social media, more than 100 people signed-up to take on a challenge of their own as part of the Brotherhood Virtual Challenge. Supporters from around the world clocked up many miles through running, hiking, cycling or swimming: one supporter swam a total of 100,000-metres in his local pool, lake and sea, while another hiked 218-miles with 43,791ft of elevation, in four days near to where she lives in North Wales.
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