We did it!
Phil Gilby MBE - Operations Manager West of the RMA - The Royal Marines Charity seals the grant with David Brain (Club Chairman)
RMA Gig Club have, in just under six months, managed to raise the money required to buy their own wooden gig from Helford River Gig Club.
The Club raised £6,500 on its Justgiving page through various means; extensive promotions on Facebook forums, sponsored row, Facebook market place, cake sales, craft sales and, by far the most profitable, club virtual bingo and 50/50 raffle.
Impressed with the extensive work, professionalism, ethos and camaraderie portrayed by the Club, Phil Gilby MBE (Operations Manager West) of the Royal Marines Association – the Royal Marines Charity invited the club to apply for a grant. Within the space of 36 hours the RMA Gig Club was awarded £8,500.
Phil Gilby commented
“As a new vibrant Branch to the Association, they have shown total dedication and professionalism to raising the funds during a very difficult period. RMA - The Royal Marines Charity are exceptionally proud to have supported the RMA Gig Club Branch with the purchase of ‘Cockleshell ‘and we now look forward to watching them grow and develop the Branch. They have some great ideas of how they are going to support the whole Corps family and I look forward to assisting them with this process. Well done to the Gig Club Branch and as it states on the Commando memorial, ‘United we Conquer’”
Fundraising Officer, Rob Guy, said
"The speed with which Phil arranged our grant was astonishing! Literally, 24 hours after our grant submission, Phil was on the phone informing us that we were successful. In that one call, the Club’s dreams were realised in an instant.
When we embarked on our fundraising campaign back in March 2020, our members and supporters got behind our efforts and came up with some creative ideas. Before RMA - The Royal Marines Charity provided the balance of the purchase price, I was amazed at the amount that we had raised in only 6 months. Aside from the money, this campaign bonded our Club during a very challenging time.
The RMA Gig Club are excited to be in partnership with RMA - The Royal Marines Charity and looking forward to supporting their charitable activities in the future”
