Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity

Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. It is the principal charity dedicated to supporting the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and their wider communities. Established in 2007, it provides a lifetime of support to serving personnel, veterans, and their families, addressing needs from immediate welfare to long-term recovery. The charity works in close partnership with the Ministry of Defence and a network of other service charities to ensure comprehensive care.

History and formation

The charity was formally launched in 2007 following a strategic review within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines charitable sector, which identified a need for a single, overarching fundraising organization. This consolidation aimed to streamline support and reduce duplication among numerous smaller charities, such as the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Royal Marines Association. Its creation was endorsed by senior naval figures, including the First Sea Lord, and was designed to provide a sustainable source of funding for welfare projects. The charity's headquarters were established in Portsmouth, a city with deep historic ties to the Royal Navy since the age of Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Mission and objectives

The core mission is to provide a better quality of life for the men and women of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Reserve, and Royal Marines Reserve, as well as their dependents and veterans. Key objectives include offering immediate support in times of crisis, funding specialist recovery pathways for those injured in conflicts like the War in Afghanistan, and promoting mental health through initiatives like the RNRMC's partnership with Combat Stress. The charity also focuses on community building, supporting events such as the Royal Tournament and remembrance services at the Royal Albert Hall.

Fundraising and activities

Fundraising is achieved through major public campaigns, legacy donations, and partnerships with corporate entities and trusts. Signature events include the annual Great North Run participation and the Portsmouth-based America's Cup World Series events. The charity allocates grants to a wide range of partner organizations, including SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, and the Fishermen's Mission, to deliver direct services. Activities funded span adventure training for recovery, housing advice through Annington Homes, and educational scholarships for children of personnel, often in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth.

Governance and structure

Governance is overseen by a Board of Trustees, which includes senior retired officers from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, as well as experts from the charitable and commercial sectors. The Patron is typically a former First Sea Lord, such as Admiral Sir Philip Jones. Day-to-day operations are managed by a Chief Executive and a professional staff team based in Portsmouth. The charity works under the regulatory framework of the Charity Commission for England and Wales and maintains close liaison with the Ministry of Defence and Navy Command headquarters.

Impact and recognition

Since its inception, the charity has distributed tens of millions of pounds in grants, directly impacting thousands of serving personnel, veterans, and families across the United Kingdom and overseas. It has been instrumental in funding the Royal Marines Historic Centre in Eastney and providing critical support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The charity's work has received royal recognition, with visits from The Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal. Its efficiency and focus have earned it awards within the Third Sector and enduring support from naval communities worldwide, from Gibraltar to HMNB Clyde.

Category:Charities based in the United Kingdom Category:Royal Navy Category:Organisations associated with the British Armed Forces