For the thousands of people pounding the streets of Tyneside on Great North Run day, the objective will be getting themselves to the finishing line safe and sound.
Not so for a team of seven volunteers from HMS Calliope, the Tyne Royal Naval Reserve Unit in Gateshead as they will be carrying with them more than six stones of dead weight on a stretcher in the form of a man overboard dummy called Ruth.
The team will be raising money for the RNRMC (Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity), and the St Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland. The RNRMC is the units chosen charity who support past and present sailors and marines, providing them with a better quality of life. St Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland has also been chosen as they supported a shipmate, Able Seaman, Mick Sherriff who sadly passed away last year.
Team Leader, Leading Seaman Elle Forrest from Chester le Street said:
“Running 13.1 miles with Ruth is going to be a massive challenge. We are all fit and good runners but this brings a new dimension to the event. We have trained hard and are hoping to raise more than £2000 between the two charities.”
Alongside Elle will be PO Neil Adams from Newcastle, AB Stephen Biddlecombe from Gateshead, AB Keith Mason from Houghton le Spring, AB David Tarren from Durham and AB’s Matt Scott and Adam Franklin both from Sunderland.
HMS Calliope’s Commanding Officer, Commander Andy Collier was impressed with the initiative and training carried out by his team.
“Elle and the team really typify the commitment, teamwork and sense of community spirit that makes the Royal Navy and her Reserves the best in the world. This is a major effort and I wish the team well on Great North Run day. I’m very proud of them.”
There has been a Royal Naval Reserve presence on Tyneside since 1905, when Tyne Division of the RNVR was formed. For its first training ship, the Division chose the famous HMS Calliope, veteran of the Samoa Hurricane, which was berthed at Elswick in Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1951, the original HMS Calliope was replaced by HMS Falmouth, which was, renamed Calliope. This new ship kept the same moorings at Elswick. The unit moved ashore in 1968 to its current location, retaining the name HMS Calliope.
Ends
Anyone wanting to know more about the RNR and HMS Calliope can look at the website http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Maritime-Reserves/Royal-Naval-Reserves/RNR-Units/Tyneside-HMS-Calliope
Donations can be made to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/GreatNorthManOverboardRun
Photo shows: Elle and the team with Ruth PR and Media Highlights PR 07814 397951