Mission Accomplished! Updated see below

High everybody, Just a quick thank you to all those who are still donating. We have just received another £100 pounds from the Lee Family, a £40 Pound Donation from the lads presently on course (we couldn't find a winner for our game of Killer Pool), and an Amazing Donation of £750 from Father Carmichael, the Roman Catholic Priest in HMS Drake's Chaplaincy. Remember the donations are going to close at the end of the year so if you would still like to contribute you will have to be quick. Thanks again to you all.


Well its done. We reached our target of £3000 today thanks to a wonderful donation from Jennie Duce, one of the many brilliantly supportive people we met in London at the weekend. And what a weekend it was! From the moment we arrived at the finish line on Friday afternoon everyone we met was incredibly supportive.

After an evening out at Haringey Sea Cadets and a donation from John Fillingham and TS Wizard, we were up early Saturday morning to enjoy the superb weather with a stroll across Hyde Park. Then it was on to the memorial Service at Westminster Abbey and a big thank you to Ian Tyson & Bob Nunn for setting it all up. It was an educational and emotional experience for us all and seeing the grave stone of the Unknown Soldier put a lump in everyone's throat and many of the students commented on how much it seemed to put the little we were doing into perspective.



















On completion it was our first real chance to relax and we conducted a slow stroll back through London seeing some wonderful sights and visiting some great pubs. All the time getting a warm response from the public. The highlight for some(and me especially) was being allowed into Downing street for a photo outside Number 10!


On Sunday it was up early and off to the Embankment for the Remembrance service. For some strange reason we seem to have lost the photos of that ceromony, so if any of you have any of the SMQ platoon we would love to see them.i thought i would take this oppurtunity to say thanks for all the donations still coming in with a special mention to the Submarine Associations of Medway, London, Coventry, Derbyshire, Gosport, Manchester and the Submarine Coxswains Association. If you haven't had your thank you letters yet, trust me, its in the post. What happens now you might ask? Well we intend to keep the list open until Xmas and then we will have a formal presentation to a representative of the SW Childrens Heart Circle, of course we will as ever keep you informed.

Friday - The Arrival into London

After four days of hard work from the boys, it was time to make our final journey from Hounslow, into London itself. The team as usual split into two, with the 'not running' group doing some final charity work and making final arrangements. 'The Runners' on the other hand set off with perfect weather and permitting traffic, where running went smoothly for the whole 16 miles into Trafalgar Square. After an hour of final charity work we set off running down to the Embankment for the final stint at the Submariners memorial, met by Commodore W J Keegan, the Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh.

After Tea and Medals we disappeared up to our hotel

next to the Marble Arch for a well deserved shower and a nice warm bed. With a service at Westminster Abbey the following day, we checked in to prepare the weekend's events.

More Reports and photos to follow.

A Word from the OIC.

Having just finished Day 3 I feel it’s time for a quick summary of events so far.
On Monday after a fine send off from the CDR Dunn OC Submarine School we enjoyed fine weather as we climbed out of Plymouth and on to Yelverton. Inspired and suitable nourished thanks to Crownhill Community Centre making a fine tray of bacon and sausage sandwiches to help us on our way, we made good time to Yelverton . Crossing over Dartmoor was a picturesque delight as the sun forced its way through the morning mist. All runners at this stage were full of enthusiasm and chomping at the bit to get out and do their stint. After a morning interview on radio Devon we noticed the public were taking more interest in us and responding by offering plenty of donations This was followed by interviews for local press and radio Gemini and Plymouth Sound.
Meanwhile down in Exeter the recruiting boys from Exeter Careers office were setting up shop in goldsmiths square ably assisted by Po Cogley and CH Guthrie who whilst spinning lengthy submarine stories (dits) collected a mound of donations. A big thanks to Mervin and his boys for their help.
We arrived at Exeter to a warm reception ahead of schedule and in good spirits
On Tuesday we set off from Exeter sea cadets at 0800 and found the morning rush hour difficult but managed to ease our way out to Honiton via the airport. Once passed Honiton we attempted to go across country to Chard only to find the chosen route unsuitable for the support wagon although great for the runners. We re-assessed and headed back to Kilmington and then up to Crewkerne adding some seven miles to the run yet still making Yeovil ahead of time.
Again our recruiting team had been doing fine work in the Quedam shopping centre and a big thank you to Graham and his team.
As your probably aware our stay in Yeovilton was a night to remember and very successful in raising funds.
On Wednesday we set off somewhat less enthusiastically as the aches and pains were starting to tell. Having the longest day ahead of us we made good time as we crossed Somerset and Wiltshire. Another interview with Somerset sound had obviously been well received as cars approached our support wagon to pass over donations.
Outside the guildhall in Andover Graeme Davison from Southampton careers office had set up their recruiting stall and again with our support had a fine day and raised lots of interest in the army Town.
Well that’s it for now: more tomorrow.