b'HELPING PROUD VETERANS RECONNECT IMPACT REPORT 2021Mike was keen for an opportunity to provide his personalopportunity to thank us for what all of us contributed and account of the groups experience in the 40th anniversarysacrificed at that time. Our first stops were at the Memorials year of the Falklands Conflict as a fitting tribute to Steve,to HMS Glamorgan and Atlantic Conveyor. We were This photo was taken shortly before the veterans flew to the South Atlantic.and with the full permission of his widow Donna. immediately struck by the ruggedness of the Islands terrain Left to right are: Mike Warren, John Walker and Steve Allwood. Until 7 years ago, the idea of returning to the Falklandsand the enormity of the task that our forces on the ground for the first time since82, hadnt crossed my mind. Thenmust have faced.a series of events happened that changed all that. I wasAfter a couple of days, it was time for our visit to Pebble contacted by an old shipmate chef from HMS InvincibleIsland. The crash sites and HMS Coventry Memorial were and encouraged to attend a reunion event. After this, I wentvery moving and for Steve and John, in particular,the to more reunions, including a Joint Forces and Islanderspilgrimage was especially emotional. The following dayreunion in Carlisle where everyone was encouraged to tellwe went on a tour of the crash sites and beaches with ourany stories from their perspective about their involvement inguide and later Steve and John went back up to the the Falklands War, no matter how small, as we were all partCoventry Memorial for one final time, not knowing if they of a giant cog that reclaimed the Islands. It was here thatwould ever return.the seed of returning to the Falklands was planted.Early the following morning it was time to say goodbye to Places were available for a trip the very next year and Ithe wondrous islands and to the hospitable Islanders who decided to ask John if he would like to go. Within minuteswere so grateful for the contribution we had made to their I had a positive response from him and from that momentliberation. The whole trip was so emotional and one I will we were going. I asked Steve if he would like to go, but henever forget. My fellow shipmates on the Invinciblecouldnt commit at the time as he was waiting for a kneehave asked me to return with them in 2023, so heresoperation. Three weeks before we were due to travel, Stevehoping. If only Steve could join us for the next one. Rest in called me and asked if we were still going. I told him wePeace mate. were, and he asked if I could take some crosses to place onIm so thankful for the RNRMCs help. Without support from the Coventry Memorial on Pebble Island. I then asked himthe Charity, the most special part of our tripthe visit to if he wanted to join us and thankfully, he was able to makePebble Islandwould not have been possible.COMRADES FOR LIFEHELPINGit happen. Looking back now,Im so glad that he got the chance to go. PROUD VETERANS RECONNECT WITHThe logistics of visiting Pebble Island added quite a bit toRNRMC FALKLANDS 40 GRANTSthe cost of the trip and my financial situation at that time was not good, so it looked like this would be ruled out forThe Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity has established a ONE ANOTHER me. I frantically tried to find some additional funding andFalklands 40 Fund to support the participation of veterans and was about to give up hope when I contacted the Royal Navytheir families in activities and events to mark the 40th Anniversary and Royal Marines Charity. After a series of phone calls,of the Falklands Conflict. Support has already been provided to a In 2019, the RNRMC helped a group of Royal Navy veterans, Mike Warren, John Walker and Stevethe Charity awarded us funding to make our trip to Pebblenumber of naval and marine associations and other community-Ha ood,make antunity to sit in fr Island possible. based groups for special remembrance and commemorative Allwving the opporemotional returont of the firn to the Falke and talk openly about my land Islands and visit the HMS Coventry memorial curr ebble esses and physical difficulties mak After a long flight from Brize Norton, we arrived in Stanley.events in 2022, which will feature in next years Impact Report.on Pent str Island. John and Steve both served es me awaron HMS Coe that my situation is ventry, which was sunk during the not unique and ther ith the loss of 19 sailors. The trip was the first time any of the group hadLocals met us with gifts of biscuits and cakes throughout Falklands Conflict we is light at the end of the tunnel.returned to the Falkland Islands since the war, and sadly Steve Allwood passed away shortly afterour visit. They couldnt do enough for us,and took every his return.Please scan here with your Smart Phone for further details of how to apply for a grant from the RNRMC Falklands 40 Fund.48 49'