To keep our fundraisers, supporters and the Corps Family up to date with the progress towards our challenge of raising £6M by 2014, we will pick out monthly highlights from our fundraising activities and tell you quarterly how much has been raised. Until now the pace has been so frantic that we have been unable to do this – sorry about that, but keeping ahead of the needs of our fundraisers seemed a higher priority.

So how are we doing? Since launching the campaign in mid-October 2010, the total funds raised by Royal Marines Charities by 31^st March 2011 was approximately £1.1M. Additionally, we are on track to raise a further £1.7M by Christmas – this is a fantastic start, but this is a marathon not a sprint!

As well as increasing the endowment of the RMCTF by £6M, Trustees are committed to an increased rate of spend for the duration of current operations and to continue to support other charities of direct benefit to our people. As a result they have made approximately £1.1M in grants in the year up to 31 March 2011, with £550K going to benevolence and welfare, and £550K to supporting quality of life, decompression activities and sport. Remember that a considerable chunk of this expenditure is supported by the serving Corps paying into the RMCTF via a simple form of payroll giving. Also the match between money raised and money spent is simply accidental!

Within the above figures, and with additional support of the Help for Heroes Quick Reaction Fund and other fundraisers, such as The C Group and Medics Rugby Challenge, we have put in excess of £500K directly into supporting the Recovery Pathway for the wounded, injured and sick in Hasler Company in Devonport and the Recovery Troops in unit locations.

Highlights since 1 April 2011 have been the RM Support Appeal run by the Royal Marines Association (£120K ); around 500 runners taking part in the 17K Commando Challenge at the Commando Training Centre (£150K); and the amazing band concert in Hambledon Church (about £120K). But this is not just about the big events; we have huge numbers of individuals doing wonderful work for us – running marathons and organising golf tournaments, holding jazz concerts, carrying fridges up Scafell Pike, laying on art exhibitions in Mayfair, waxing for heroes (don’t ask...!) and many more. It is also profoundly moving how many bereaved families are out there raising money for us. As just one example, the recent press coverage of the late Marine David Hart’s legacy to allow his friends to go to Las Vegas generated a surge in donations from across the USA. His family and his friends are also cycling 170 miles along the Way of the Roses Cycle Route to raise money for the RMCTF - do have a look at their Just Giving site.

Over the next couple of months we have people participating in the UK Ironman and running the South Downs Way. The Elms family are arranging the Elmsy Memorial Charity Shoot in memory of Cpl Liam Elms and Chara Challenge also takes place on Dartmoor where participants can undertake the 30 miler. In early September we have the first phase of Commando Spirit Series where high-fliers from the financial, medical, legal and security industry sectors, sportsmen, homemakers and a even filmmaker will Escape the Dunker at Yeovilton and Aberdeen. These are just a few of the events taking place.