The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Hosts Evening Reception – Sponsored by Navy Leaders and L3Harris – Thanking Supporters of the Charity Following Royal Navy Admiralty Service
On 4 December, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) welcomed supporters and friends of the charity to an annual evening reception at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, with thanks to generous sponsors which included L3Harris and Navy Leaders.
The reception followed the traditional Christmas lessons and carols of the Admiralty Service, attended by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key, the Second Sea Lord, Vice-Admiral Martin Connell CBE and members of the Navy Board which officially marked the start of the festive season for the wider naval family with the lighting of the first advent candle. There were musical performances from the brass quintet of the Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood and the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital School, Suffolk.
The lessons were read by Andrew Jameson, RNRMC Chief Executive Officer, and Bernard Edwards, representing RNRMC supporters. On behalf of the Royal Navy, there were readings by Honorary Captain Durdana Ansari RNR, WO1 Mick Stanion RM and AB2 Sachaa-Alessandro Barnes-Wood, HMS Audacious.
The address by The Venerable Andrew Hillier KHC, Chaplain of the Fleet, referenced the Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol story. He reminded the congregation of the story of Scrooge’s business partner, Jacob Marley, whose ghost served as a manifestation of the consequences of greed. Marley had earned his punishment due to the sins he committed in life and explained that Scrooge could expect the same, unless he changed his ways. The ultimate lesson was a message of hope in darkness and, in the words of Leonard Cohen, ‘there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.’
Following the service, the reception, held in the Crypt, provided an opportunity for the First Sea Lord to note the value of the RNRMC’s work and to thank those in attendance for their continued commitment to our mission to support sailors, marines and their families for life.
This year, sponsorship of the reception was by L3Harris Technologies and Navy Leaders, marking the start of both organisations’ Bridge Partnerships with RNRMC. The RNRMC Bridge Partnership scheme provides companies with an official alliance to the RNRMC, offering the opportunity to work closely with the charity and pledge support to their vision.
