OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

HMS SULTAN COMMEMORATES VE DAY 80 WITH CHALLENGE FOR RNRMC

HMS Sultan held a special whole ship charity challenge to mark VE Day 80 and raise funds for the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).

An 80km walk, relay race, and 5km fun run were amongst the challenges undertaken across 24 hours. In addition, a special Bake-Off organised by the Sultan Women's and Allies Network (SWAN) helped add to the total raised, with prizes presented for best cake, biscuit, pastry and bread.

Lieutenant Danny Clarke Royal Navy organised the VE 80 challenge, he participated in the 80 km walk, finishing it in around 17 hours, before leading a lap of honour to celebrate VE Day 80 with all personnel involved. Danny 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.”

So far, the challenge has raised over £3000, with the donation page remaining open until 23 May 25.

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.” 

HMS Sultan was originally Gosport Airfield, a military airfield, used in both World Wars. A number of squadrons used the airfield during the Second World War with some of the aircraft involved 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.

Fun run winners:

Male

AET Jones –21:22

ETME(SM) Connel –22:29

ETME Mburu – 23:16

Female

Cdr Ashton –26:50

Lt Cdr Radcliffe – 27:15

ETME Porter –29:25

ENDS

Images by Leading Photographer Baz Swainsbury