RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

M6/50 Charity WattBike Challenge in aid of Charlies Beach Hut

It’s been 35 years since they were last on the same team! Now two former navy rugby players and former Command Field Gunners are coming together as teams mates for the last time in their service careers! Kerry Packer (KP) and Doc Cox will be donning lycra, mounting Wattbikes and attempting to ride 1million metres in just 50 hours in memory of their mate CPO Graham ‘Sid’ Street, who recently passed after fighting cancer. 

The M6/50 challenge was the brain wave of KP and its aim is to keep Sid’s legacy alive in raising funds for a national charity that he was a proud patron of. Charlies Beach Hut is a charity that aims to provide families of children with life limiting illnesses and families of fire-fighters that have suffered bereavement, or life changing injury whilst in the line of duty, a relaxing environment so they can forge some forever memories, in a hope that they too can ‘Find the Wonderful in Today’. 

KP commented about the M6/50 challenge “Sid was a huge character and was always there when anyone needed help or advice. During his illness Sid raised over £250k for various cancer charities and it seemed fitting to keep his memory alive in raising funds for one of his personal favourites, Charlies Hut. This event is about matelots honouring the memory of oppo’s who have crossed the bar. Made in the Royal Navy isn’t just a slogan, it’s actually what we are about. Here to support each other in all circumstances, even after our demise! Hopefully we can do him proud and whilst it’s going to be hard graft, Doc and I can at least have the solace of knowing we’re not suffering alone! We’ll likely take the opportunity to revel in each other’s torment (said with a wink!)”.

M6/50 is taking place at Portsmouth rugby club from 0800hrs on 11 Nov non-stop until 1000hrs on Remembrance Sunday 13 Nov, whereupon the two of them will lay a wreath. Sid was actively involved with Portsmouth Rugby club as a player and coach. Both riders would greatly appreciate any support during the challenge, and they have a spare bike ready for anyone wanting to join them in their quest.

All donations, no matter how great or small can be made at: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/m650/

KP joined the RN on St Patricks Day in 1986 and since then has celebrated each RN birthday with a pint of Guinness (at least 1). Having finished a season with Leicester Tigers U21’s in 1985-6, he was lucky enough to be swept up on a journey with the RN Rugby squad at all levels, which lasted up until he hung his boots up in 1999, the body finally had enough! Initially a MW rating he qualified as a PTI in 1989 and was commissioned from the ranks in 2003. Currently a Lt Cdr serving in NCHQ in Portsmouth he has seen service on Leander Class Frigates, T42 Destroyers, Illustrious Class Carriers, Naval Air Squadrons and various establishments through the years. KP has had the privilege of being part of the Portsmouth Command Field Gun crew on several occasions culminating in running the last run at Earls Court in Aug 1999. Always up for a challenge KP came up with the idea of cycling a million metres on Wattbikes in memory of his mate (Sid Street), and thought just for a laugh, he’d invite his oppo Doc along, to share the pain! Here goes…………. 

Doc is no standard service man taking on a fundraising challenge. Doc joined the Royal Navy in 1984 aged only 16 ½ and has seen service all over the world including Italy and Turkey. He was recently awarded a “second bar” to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal having completed 38 ½ years as a member of Her Majesty’s Royal Navy. He is a decorated serving officer with no fewer than 9 operational tours under his belt, he has deployed as an International Election Monitor and assisted with the evacuation of UK citizens out of dangerous environments such as Gaza. You might think with such a busy career the Royal Navy is Doc’s only passion, but his true love is for rugby, he has played semi-professional in England and Ulster over the years. He has played rugby for and coached the Royal Navy at every representative level and has been the Director of UK Armed Forces Rugby on two occasions. A busy man at the best of times his passion off the field is centred on his family, his troops, and their families. Doc happily admits that he is more comfortable at the touchline than the starting line of any cycling challenge but then again when did he ever stick to his comfort zone. 

Promo Video can be found - https://we.tl/t-BuaELuNtkC?src=dnl

Points of contact: Kerry Packer LT CDR RN (OF3) SO2 Media Ops Royal Navy Communications and Influence Email: Robert.Packer524@mod.gov.uk Phone: 0300 163 9988 Michael ‘Doc’ Cox LT CDR MSc MA Royal Navy (OF3) United Kingdom Armed Forces Rugby Ambassador Email Mil: Michael.cox601@mod.gov.uk Email Civilian: doccox_dfg@hotmail.com Phone: 0044 7801259303