MOD personnel join forces for Children in Need

Children in Need is a registered charity which raises millions of pounds each year for disadvantaged children. Its mission is to positively change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. In 2006 the Appeal raised over £33 million. For every penny donated to the charity, a penny will go towards projects helping disadvantaged children in the UK.

Every year, thanks to public donations and the amazing efforts of fundraisers, schools, businesses and corporate partners, the charity is able to provide support to thousands of youngsters aged 18 and under as well as hundreds of different organisations, some of which are very small and don't have the resources to fundraise for themselves.

Of course armed forces and MOD civilian personnel are no strangers to fundraising and many have been hard at work this week doing just that. Today, Friday 16 November 2007, around eighty people ran around the sports pitch at Devil's Tower Camp, British Forces Gibraltar. Each of the runners paid £5 for the privilege. The run was the brainchild of Petty Officer (PT), Paddy Esler:

"The first of this morning's runners were the Joint Medical and Dental Unit who turned up at 7.30 followed by the staff from BFBS," Paddy explained. "We've even had an RAF Air Dog and his handler and they both paid a fiver!

"Each person (and every dog) pays £5 for Children in Need. We've had lots of individuals run their mile and I'm now waiting for the mothers and toddlers to turn up.

Pudsey Bear goes 'commando'
A rock of a different kind was the star attraction yesterday, Thursday 15 November 2007, when a team from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines climbed 14,960 feet (4.5km), the equivalent of a mountain in the Western Alps, in the centre of Edinburgh, raising more than £1,000 in the process.

Eight members of the Royal Navy Student Presentation Team (RNSPT) and the Royal Marines Visibility Team (RMVT) from HMS Caledonia in Rosyth undertook a gruelling 12-hour climbing challenge in the heart of Edinburgh on their 'Rolling Rock' simulator, ensuring that one member of the team was constantly climbing from 0800 hours to 2000 hours.

The Rolling Rock is a 13 ft (4m) high state-of-the-art simulator which allows users the opportunity to experience the challenge of rock climbing in a safe environment. Petty Officer Phil Noone, in charge of the RNSPT, said:

"We were trying to come up with an unusual idea to raise money for Children in Need and we thought what better way to do that and also demonstrate the fitness levels required to join the Service and raise awareness of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines than use our own Rolling Rock. Initially, we were going to do 24 hours, but thought 12 hours would be more achievable.

"It is usually the general public who climb the Rock when we are at events and it's been a while since many of us have used it, but we rose to the challenge and had a great day. We'd like to thank the people of Edinburgh who showed us so much support and gave so generously for a good cause, and we'd especially like to thank Helen the hot dog lady, who kept our energy levels up all day with an unlimited supply of hot dogs!"

Fancy dress 'parade' at Collingwood
Meanwhile more than 300 sailors and civilians at HMS Collingwood changed their dress code to raise money this week. With "unusually-dressed" platoons on the parade ground, Collingwood's Fancy Dress 'Divisions' saw everyone get into the spirit of the occasion. Pudsey Bear made a guest appearance together with Vikings, Sumo wrestlers, Batman and Robin, a 70's pop group and many many more 'interestingly dressed' individuals.

The event was especially unusual for 16-year-old Able Seaman Adam Jarrold. As the youngest sailor at HMS Collingwood Able Seaman Jarrold was given the honour of accompanying the Commanding Officer, Commodore Steve Kirby, when he inspected the platoons, traditionally a role for senior officers:

"I inspected the guard with the Commodore and saluted the guys as they went past us," said Able Seaman Jarrold. "I'd love to do it again!"

Digging deep at Linton
Civilian and military staff at North Yorkshire airbase RAF Linton-on-Ouse near York have also been digging deep into their pockets to raise funds for Children in Need. As in previous years pilots, engineers and administrators at RAF Linton-on-Ouse near York queued patiently to buy cakes in aid of the appeal.

But this year people were asked to 'do something different' and the base responded by holding a tombola to win exquisitely knitted Pudsey bears. Top prize was the latest multi-coloured manifestation of the Children in Need mascot. Organiser Jenny Jeffrey is a civilian cashier at the base:

"The bears were all knitted using the official Pudsey pattern which is available online," she explained. "We thought they looked great and decided they would make attractive prizes for our tombola. Tickets have sold really well and we think we have beaten last year's total of £1,000 today. Children in Need is such an important event and I hope the small part we have played will help the charity to beat last year's total."

Personnel at RAF Halton have also been pulling out all the stops to raise money for Children in Need, with the Mechanical Transport Section and the Catering Training School both getting involved. Some dressed as characters from Grease, in full 1950s outfits, as they washed and valeted cars. Others tested their culinary skills by baking Pudsey Bear Biscuits which they sold throughout the Station. To make the biscuits taste that extra bit special, a cake and coffee morning was also organised. In total they raised in excess of £2,000. Station Commander Group Captain Richard Gammage said:

"Royal Air Force Halton has already raised over £120,000 this year for local and Service charities. BBC Children in Need is a charity close to my heart as I have a young family myself and it is important that we give to those less fortunate children. That little extra help could change their lives. My admiration and thanks go out to those that have given to this worthy cause and to those that have taken the time to organise events to help make a child's future so much better."

Batman and Robin to the rescue
At JSU Corsham personnel from the MoD's 241 Signals Squadron, 10 Signal Regiment, entered into the spirit of the Children in Need appeal by dressing up in a variety of guises, including scooby-do, batman and the pink panther on 16 November 2007. By welcoming employees at the main gate and visits to offices, they raised £700.

Their efforts are part of a larger, combined, 10 Signal Regiment drive to help the charity – Royal Signals staff around the country are also taking part in a cycle tour which started in Northern Ireland and will end at the BBC studios tonight.

Finally a team of 25 Royal Navy divers from the Defence Diving School, Horsea Island, Portsmouth, are coming towards the end of their 24-hour sponsored dive up and down Horsea Lake. The idea for the dive came from Chief Petty Officer (Diver) Ian Fleming who has been involved in a variety of fund-raising events throughout his naval career:

"I like doing things for charity, he said. "The team were all willing and able to join me with this, they were all up for it. It's great to do something for Children in Need and raise the profile of the Royal Navy at the same time."

Each diver will have completed 1.4 miles (2km) for each lap during the event, the equivalent of remaining under water for approximately 40 minutes a lap. The divers will have raised approximately £2,000 for the charity, which they will present to the BBC duirng their live Broadcast on BBC South at 2125hrs this evening.

Children in Need broadcasts on BBC1 tonight from 1900hrs. Check back here next week for a further round-up of the events which took place across defence to support this worthy cause.