On 12 December, the Grandads of the Atlantic set off on their World Record Attempt to cross the Atlantic as part of The Talisker Atlantic Challenge.

Peter and Neil, former Officers in The Parachute Regiment, set off on 12 December from La Gomera in a race that will see them cross the Atlantic ocean before finally arriving in Antigua to cross the finish line.

They are hoping to set a new World Record as the oldest pair to row across the Atlantic with a combined age of 123!

Our Grandads have taken on this epic challenge to raise money for three charities; Royal British Legion Industries, Dreams Come True and Support Our Paras. We are honoured to have been chosen and have enjoyed supporting them through their training journey towards the start line for the past year.

They have set themselves an ambitious fundraising target and have done incredibly well so far, but could still use your help. Please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/GrandadsoftheAtlantic to wish them luck and support them on this amazing challenge.

For updates on their journey and to find out how they are getting on, as well as information about how to track them during the race, please follow them on:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Saville Inquiry Facebook Post

A number of people have recently shared a post which the Regiment put out in 2015 when one of our veterans who was named by the Saville Inquiry was interviewed under caution by the PSNI in NI.

This is an old post and unfortunately it is causing some confusion and additional stress to those caught up in the inquiry.  Could we please ask you not to share this post

Are veterans to be prosecuted as a result of the Saville Report?

A decision whether to proceed with an investigation with intent to prosecute those named in the Saville Inquiry has yet to be made.  The Public Prosecutions Service was due to make a decision late this summer, but until now has not done so and we continue to wait.  In the meantime, RHQ PARA have written to those involved offering welfare and pastoral support.  If you are involved, or know someone who is involved, who hasn’t heard from us could you please let me know.  Contact details below.

If you have been affected by the current NI investigations or you know someone who is, please contact:

Lt Col (Retd) Paul Rodgers
NI Legacy Officer
RHQ PARA
Merville Barracks
Colchester
Essex
CO2 7UT
Tel: Mil: 94660 7072 or Civ: 01206 817072
email: paul.rodgers694@mod.gov.uk or paul.rodgers694@gmail.com

Also look at this website which has been designed both to inform and to assist veterans of the UK Armed Forces when facing interview, investigation or prosecution as a result of operational duty during their term of service. Look particularly at the section ‘Practical advice’ https://www.ukveteranslegal.co.uk

The Airborne Forces Security Fund is again making grants available to veterans to assist with the cost of their commemorative trips in 2019.

Assistance is available for trips to The Rhine Crossing, Normandy and Arnhem in 2019. The grant per trip is £480 for a veteran, £480 for his wife or partner and £480 if a carer is needed. The maximum grant is therefore £1,440.

Please complete the relevant application form below and return, together with a copy of your travel documents e.g. ferry or hotel booking, to:

Robert Airey
RHQ PARA
Merville Barracks
Colchester
Essex
CO2 7UT

For all enquiries please contact: robert.airey100@mod.gov.uk

2019 Rhine Crossing reimbursement Application
2019 Normandy Reimbursement Application
2019 Arnhem Reimbursement Application

On 10 October, the Maroon Memorial team started their 1,100 mile cycle from Bosnia to the UK which they completed in just over a week.

The team, made up of serving Paratroopers from 3 PARA and the 82^nd Airborne Division, cycled the distance to raise money in memory of their colleague, LCpl Will Plant, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Their route saw them pass through 7 countries, over some of Europe’s most arduous terrain, including the Austrian Alps. This cross country challenge is a far cry from the challenges they usually face in the sky!

To sponsor them, please visit https://www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/maroonmemorial

To mark the RAF’s centenary and to continue his 11-year tradition of raising funds for military charities, ex-Paratrooper Jeffrey Long MBE walked 100 miles for 100 years of the Royal Air Force.

The 86-year-old walked 10 miles at 10 different RAF stations, in tribute to the service’s 100^th birthday and raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund and Support Our Paras. He began his walk on 16 September at the PARAS’10 in Catterick, before heading off to 10 RAF stations before a grand finale at RAF Odiham.

Jeffrey, who raised more than £120K last year, said: “The Paras have a relationship with the RAF, they are very good to us. They give us a flight then they show us the door! It made perfect sense to me to support this wonderful charity, in the year of the RAF’s centenary as well as the Paras’ charity, of course.”

Last year Jeffrey’s 86-mile walk in recognition of his birthday, went viral thanks to comedian Jason Manford who retweeted his appeal. He also received a lifetime membership from the Royal British Legion, who was the main beneficiary. The Prime Minister Theresa May MP also recognised Jeffery’s incredible efforts with a Points of Light Award, congratulating him on his ‘long-serving support of Armed Forces charities’.

Jeffrey’s fundraising began 11 years ago when he walked 650 miles from London to Lausanne in Switzerland. Since then he has completed Liverpool to Leeds, Hadrian’s Wall and the Three Peaks Challenge, to name but a few.

Jeffrey, who served in the Army from 1950 to 1957 before leaving due to injury, admits age had forced him to slow down in recent years, and he’s not carrying the heavy packs he once did, but he remains as determined as ever to raise funds and awareness for the charities he loves.

Stephen Cooper, Director of Support our Paras, said: “We have known Jeffrey for some years at Support our Paras and he never fails to surprise us with his next charity challenge, all driven by the desire to help others less fortunate than himself. We take our hats off to you Jeffrey!”

Aaron Tillyer, regional fundraiser for the RAF Benevolent Fund, added: “Fundraisers like Jeffrey are truly inspirational. I’m bowled over by his enthusiasm to get out there and raise funds for charity.

“Supporters like Jeffrey are vital to see the welfare work the Fund carries out continue, without it we simply could not do what we do – ensuring no member of the RAF Family faces adversity alone.”

To support Jeffrey’s walk go to www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JeffreyLongMBE