Ecstatic Royal Navy sailors celebrate 70th anniversary of HMS Sultan in style
Hundreds of pounds was raised for brilliant charitable causes
Excited sailors celebrated the 70th anniversary of a Royal Navy base in style.
Personnel at HMS Sultan in Military Road, Gosport, completed a gruelling endurance challenge and supportive charity bake sale. The SULTAN 70 Endurance Mission concluded at 12pm on June 18.
The challenge was a modified triathlon comprising a 20km row, 20km run and 30km cycle and was open to all military and civilian personnel. Senior Community Engagement Officer at the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), Hilary Hesbrook, said: "We are so grateful to everyone at HMS Sultan for all their support to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and for choosing to recognise the charity as part of their commemorative celebrations.
“Every penny raised will go a long way to ensuring our sailors, marines, and their families are valued and supported, for life."
The cake sale alone raised £732.08. A subsequent raffle and HMS Sultan’s online Just Giving page contributed a further £2923.75, combining for an incredible total of £3,655.83.
To mark the launch of the challenge, Commanding Officer Captain Mark Hamilton, Executive Officer Commander Fergus Ochtma-Corfe, and Base Warrant Officer WO1 Marty Wallace, took to the rower, treadmill, and bike respectively. This kicked off the event and inspired other personnel to get involved.
The Commanding Officer’s Executive Assistant and event organiser, Lieutenant Danny Clarke, said: "This year we mark the 70th anniversary of HMS Sultan. Throughout that time, Naval Charities, operating under the umbrella of the RNRMC since 2007, have supported our sailors in countless ways. This event is a small token of our appreciation for what they have done for us."
Participants in the SULTAN 70 could compete solo or in a team of up to seven. If they completed the full 70km individually, their overall time ran from the start of their first exercise to the finish of their last. If competing in a team, members had up to seven days to record their combined quickest times across all three disciplines.
Leading Personal Trainer Everitt also led an additional competition between Air Engineers (AE) and Marine Engineers (ME). This featured seven exercises of 70 repetitions each, contested for the fastest time. The Phase 2 ME Submarine Officer course won the overall team challenge, and Lieutenant Isaac Backhouse (ME) won the individual award.
The big bake was held by Mitie Defence UK Technical Services staff in the Unit Personnel Office (UPO) at HMS Sultan. The office provides support and advice to all Service Personnel throughout their time within the Establishment, on areas including pay and allowances, travel and expenses, and cash and banking.
UPO Pay Supervisor, Rachel Anderson, added: "I have worked within Sultan for three years now and have seen the support provided by RNRMC to service personnel. My father was also in the Royal Navy, and it is encouraging to see the support they also offer to veterans when needed. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported the event, whether in donating money or taking the time to bake, and to Mitie for allowing us to show our support for this and the Sultan 70 anniversary celebrations."