Serving and Former Members of the RNRU take on the 3 Peaks Challenge 14-15 Jul 2
Serving and Former Members of the RNRU take on the 3 Peaks Challenge 14-15 Jul 2012
Serving and former members of the Royal Navy Rugby Union will take on the 3 Peaks Challenge in a 24 hour period over this coming weekend.
The challenge was the brainchild of Lt Cdr (Doc) Cox RN and goes back to when he was the coach of the Royal Navy U23's 2007-08. During his time, Doc became close friends with Royal Marine and promising fly half Aaron Moon.
During 2008 Aaron was deployed to Southern Afghanistan (Helmand Province) as part of Armoured Support Group Royal Marines operating the Viking Support vehicles. It was during this deployment that the vehicle in which Aaron was travelling was involved in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strike. This resulted in Aaron being severely wounded.
Aaron was transferred to the Naval Service Recovery Pathway (Hasler Company) which cares and supports those with complex long term injuries and illnesses. However, due to the nature of his injuries, Aaron eventually elected to have his leg amputated.
Aaron left the Royal Marines in 2011 to take up his other passion of Golf with the On Course Foundation. However, Doc and the other members of the squad of 2007-08 have always kept in touch with Aaron who has since undergone a series of operations; despite all of this, he continues to display the Commando spirit to rebuild his life. His rehabilitation will continue as he joins the team at the summit of Mount Snowdon to complete the challenge this coming Sunday.
The RNRU 3 Peaks Challenge team will attempt to climb the 3 highest peaks in England (Scafell Pike), Scotland (Ben Nevis) and Wales (Snowdon) in 24 hours to raise £10, 000 for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association (BLESMA), Rugby for Heroes and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) over the weekend 14th-15th July 2012.
The team comprises:
Cdr Iain Whyte (MOD)
Lt Cdr Michael 'Doc' Cox RN (PJHQ Northwood)
Lt Ed Moss-Ward RN (BRNC Dartmouth)
Lt Cdr Geraint Ashton-Jones RN (Rtd)
NA Chris Ellors (RNAS Yeovilton)
SLt Matt Kitson RN (BRNC Dartmouth)
LS (WS) Will Cairns (HMS TEMERAIRE)
LH Jon Ryder (NATO Northwood)
John White (Former Team Manger RN U23s)
Melanie White
To find out more log on to www.facebook.com/RNRU3PeaksChallenge
To donate, go to www.justgiving.co.uk/RNRU-3-Peaks-Challenge.'
You can also follow the Teams progress on Twitter@RNRugby
The event organisers would also like to thank CoDEStorm plc who have kindly supported this event. CoDEStorm plc are proud sponsors of Royal Navy Rugby Union. To find out more about CoDEStorm plc and the services they offer, please visit www.codestorm.co.uk