Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) was immensely proud to attend and support the Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2025, held last night in London. It was a truly inspiring evening, highlighting the incredible community spirit that supports our Armed Forces family beyond the uniform.

This year, the RNRMC had the honour of introducing a brand-new award — Jacob’s Medal. Jacob’s Medal was inspired by an extraordinary young Submariner child, 14-year-old Jacob Mason, who moved audiences with his heartfelt poem about life as a military child and his emotions during his father’s deployment. Jacob’s powerful words, shared during the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall, captured the unique bravery and resilience of children within military families.

When we approached Jacob to offer him a gift of thanks, his response was truly humbling: he asked for a way to recognise other military children for their courage. Jacob’s Medal was born from this wish. Last night, every young person nominated at the Celebrating Forces Families Awards was presented with Jacob’s Medal — a symbol of their strength, bravery and the vital role they play within our military community. It was a truly moving moment and one we were honoured to be part of.

Another highlight of the evening was the success of the Even Keel Podcast, which proudly took home the Social Impact Award. Even Keel, an inspiring initiative founded by two Royal Navy spouses, offers a podcast and online community focused on deployments, self-care, and wellbeing. RNRMC is delighted to be a proud sponsor of Even Keel, and we are thrilled to see their incredible work recognised in this way. Their honest conversations and support for service families are making a profound difference across the community.

The evening was a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and community spirit that underpin military life. RNRMC is committed to supporting every member of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines family — and evenings like this reaffirm why that mission is so important.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all nominees, finalists and winners. Thank you for everything you do, every day, to support our serving personnel, veterans, and families.


Jacob's Poem
This is normal for me.

This is normal for me, but some people don’t know how it feels.

It can get rough sometimes, children tease because I’m different.

Dad is not there.

I watch the sea for him, I stand still and stare.

This is normal for me, but it might be different if you stayed around a lot.

Christmas, birthdays, holidays, New Years, when we have been apart.

Missing someone so much I have no words for being so sad.

Separation and silence. 

This is normal for me, counting days until you are gone,

No mark on the calendar to count down your return.

You had to leave me in hospital, I knew you had to go.

You do such a good job and you were hurting too I know.

This is normal for me, it would help if you knew how it feels.

To feel special, to be part of my family and community.

Every time I see you I am filled with such joy.

You’re important to me, you’re important to everybody, our country.

I still watch the sea. This is normal for me.