TAKE THE LEAP

It’s your last chance to sign up for Take The Leap! Held in Glasgow on October 4th this is no ordinary abseil. It is a unique opportunity to abseil the Titan Crane with support and encouragement from the Royal Mariness.

Whilst everyone else is doing their shopping or cleaning their car - you'll have spent your Sunday abseiling 150ft from above the banks of the River Clyde. That is something to brag about!

If you want to join the daring band of high flyers and prove you've got what it takes, book now on Eventbrite. Registration will be open until 6pm on October 2nd.

ESCAPE THE DUNKER

On November 12th Commando Spirit Ambassador and Royal Marine Lance Corporal JJ Chalmers will be taking on Escape The Dunker, an underwater helicopter crash simulator that all Royal Marines face to gain their green beret, and you can take part alongside him by signing up now.

“Go do as much good as you can, challenge yourself and just do amazing things, because you can.” says Royal Marine Lance Corporal JJ Chalmers.

Seriously injured during his 2011 tour of Afghanistan, JJ received support from the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund and now he is giving back, because he can.

Read more of JJ’s inspirational story recently featured in The Telegraph then head over to Eventbrite where you can register to join him in Escape The Dunker. Go on, you know you want to!‬ ‬

SURVIVE THE YOMP

Commando Spirit’s annual flagship event, Survive The Yomp, recently took place in the stunning Scottish Highlands around historic Achnacarry Castle, the original Commando Basic Training Centre.

The 30-mile hike across rugged and remote Commando Country is the arduous challenge over 100 courageous, determined participants took on, supported all the way by our Royal Marines.

Whilst you’ve missed your chance to take part this year, bookings are already being taken here for September 10th 2016. Register now to take advantage of our earlybird offer if you book as an individual or team by September 30th!

ALWAYS A MARINE

Once a Marine, always a Marine. It’s a motto that 90-year-old Hugh Ewart has lived by since volunteering for national service during World War II at the age of 18.

“During my time at the original Commando Training Camp at Achnacarry during WWII, I was prepared to encounter every natural obstacle we could possibly face during service in the field. Churchill set up the Commandos to take on the toughest challenges of the war and that is exactly what we were trained for.

Every day we were faced with the most extreme conditions – I was there in November so it definitely was not a walk in the park. My experience at the Commando Training Centre was invaluable to my time in service, as well as my life post-war. It helped make me the man I am today.”

An Ambassador for Commando Spirit, it was an honour to have Hugh and his family join us at Achnacarry for the third year running. He greatly inspired everyone during the Friday night briefing and out on the course with dits about his experiences of the area during his own Commando training

COMMANDO COUNTRY WEEKEND

To celebrate the third annual Survive The Yomp, our amazing partners at Achnacarry Estate and 4x4 Vehicle Hire have teamed up to offer Guardian readers the chance to experience the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and Commando Country.

The prize includes a two-night stay in one of the historic estate’s two bedroom luxury apartments, and three days hire of a top-of-the-range branded Land Rover, ideal for exploring the stunning Highland landscape. Check out the Guardian website for more details.

HOW TO SMASH YOUR FUNDRAISING TARGET

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.

“The ingenuity of our participants continues to surprise me each year,” says Sally-Anne. “Those who smash their targets really do think beyond asking friends and family to sponsor them and come up with new ways to raise lifechanging sums for those in need. This year participants have held bake-offs, partnered with local supermarkets, run ‘Beat the Marines’ days at their gyms and organised raffles and auctions. Remember the Commando Spirit team are here to support you all the way with your fundraising efforts.”

Check out our YouTube channel to hear more from Sally-Anne in her recent interview with Nicky Smith from BFBS Radio.

EVEN SUPERHEROES NEED TEAMMATES

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 shares a dit on how the members you choose for your team can affect your ability to achieve.