Sultan marks VE80 with intense charity challenges
HMS SULTAN have marked the eightieth anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) by hosting a series of whole ship challenges; which aimed to raise money for the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).
Personnel were invited to participate in either an 80km walk, relay race, and 5km fun run across a twenty-four hour timeframe. One of the participants was Lieutenant Danny Clarke Royal Navy, who organised the VE80 challenge and completed the eighty kilometre walk before leading a lap of honour with those taking part in the events.
He said: “The VE 80 challenge has been an amazing event. It’s been good to commemorate VE Day together. VE 80 marked the end of the Second World War in Europe and we’re proud of what that generation achieved, their sacrifice, and the relations that they built with allies which we continue to maintain today.”
At the time of writing this challenge has raised over £3000 and the figure is likely to increase as the donation page will remain open until May 23. In addition a special Bake-Off organised by the Sultan Women’s and Allies Network (SWAN) helped raise funds that were added to the total raised; with prizes presented for best cake, biscuit, pastry and bread.
Danny added: “Wherever you go within the Royal Navy, RNRMC are active and improving the lives of Service personnel. The Charity also does a lot to help Service veterans. We’d hoped to raise at least £2000 to give something back and I’m really grateful to everyone who has supported us, helping to smash that target.”
The training establishment was originally Gosport Airfield and was a military airfield that was used in both World Wars; where it paid a huge part in the nation’s successes. A number of squadrons used the airfield during the Second World War with some of the aircraft including Spitfire, Hurricane, Defiant, Swordfish, Blenheim, Hudson, Barracuda, and Beaufighter.
At the end of the War, the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm inherited the airfield in 1945 and, as HMS Siskin, was used to develop basic helicopter flying training procedures. With the Korean War over Siskin closed in 1956, and then became HMS Sultan, the School of Mechanical Engineering, which is recognised today as the home of Royal Navy Marine and Air Engineering.
From 1945 to 2025, over the past 80 years, the Royal Navy has continued to preserve the legacy defending the peace won by the Greatest Generation. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is the principal charity of the Royal Navy. It exists to support sailors, marines, and their families, for life.
PICTURED BY LP BAZ SWAINSBURY: Large numbers of participants take part in one of the challenges undertaken by personnel of HMS Sultan to mark VE80.
