HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROYAL! 350 YEARS YOUNG

This October, the Royal Marines celebrated their 350th anniversary. Formed on October 28th 1664, the Marines have gone on to take part in more battles on land and sea around the world than any other branch of the British Armed Forces.

Thank you for three-and-a-half centuries of unbroken service.

EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT FOR SURVIVE THE YOMP

The Commando Spirit Series of challenges are back for 2015. So why don't you have a look at our website and choose a challenge? If you sign up a team of 3 or more for next year's Survive The Yomp (12/09/2015) before 31 December 2014, one of your places is on us. 

Just quote EBSTY2014 in your email to us and we'll get you signed up and on board! 

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAMWORK

Commando Spirit Ambassador Sean Lerwill, former Royal Marines Physical Training Instructor and published author, is on hand to support your training for any of the Commando Spirit Series challenges. Here he shares his thoughts on his final test to gain his own green beret and the importance of the support of your team-mates: “Due to illness, my personal 30-mile Yomp was almost surreal and right up until the last minute I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do the final test, having been quarantined the night before with a vomiting bug. I was determined I was going through with it – I had worked so hard up to that point and more so, I had pride in myself and would not be beaten. Furthermore, the camaraderie from my fellow ‘almost’ Commandos was enough to pull anyone of us feeling under the weather through.

For anyone facing a tough physical challenge, my advice would be to soak up the support from everyone around you.”

See more hints and advice from Sean in our videos here.

LEAVE NO-ONE BEHIND

The Commando Spirit Series gives you a rare insight into the life of a Commando and the unique ethos they share that drives them and helps them conquer all obstacles. Woven into a Marines DNA is courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness, and we award Commando Spirit Trophies to our participants who exemplify these qualities. At this year’s Survive The Yomp two of our participants, Barrie Millet and Sam Truelove gave up their personal goals of finishing in record time to make sure others got across the finish line, being jointly awarded the Unselfishness Award: “Barrie was absolutely inspirational. He gave up his goal to help me and Chris achieve ours.” Said Nick Rylance and several participants thanked Sam for pushing them on; she even carried her struggling oppos pack as well as her own. No-one left behind. Everyone finished.

You can read more about Sam’s experience here

WORK AT YOUR FUNDRAISING!

Each month, Founder and Director of Commando Spirit, Sally-Anne Hunter who has helped charities to raise over £20M, gives one of her fundraising tips. This month it is about how to raise money at your work place.

"Some companies operate a matched giving scheme and will match what you raise for charity. Some may let you write to their clients/suppliers, or put an article in a newsletter/on their website asking for donations. You may be able to use company facilities to organise a fundraising event. And some companies may give a straight donation. 

Several of our participants have doubled what they raised just by asking the question of their employer "do you have a match giving scheme?" 

You won’t know until you ask. So what are you waiting for?"

THE BEST DITS IN THE PUB

We have experts on hand to give you advice and guidance and one such is Commando Spirit Ambassador and former Royal Marine, Ben Brabyn.

Here he gives his thoughts on the power of stories (or dits as the Royal Marines call them) in bonding teams.

LEST WE FORGET

November, with Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day is a time when we especially remember and show our support for those who gave their lives for us.

How will you be remembering and showing your support?

We will be at the Cenotaph for the wreath laying ceremony and the two minutes silence and the Royal Marines buglers sounding Last Post. Especially poignant in this the 100th anniversary year of the start of the First World War as we remember lives lost and changed forever.

You can make a donation to the Commando Spirit Appeal here.