More than 2,000 Royal Marines Commando children in the South West are to benefit from a £15,000 donation to The Royal Marines Charity.

The money has been given from the Advanta Foundation, a charity set up by the wealth-management company, Advanta Wealth Ltd.

During 2023, the funding will be used to support children’s activities at Unit Families’ Days at the three Royal Marines Commando locations in Lympstone, Chivenor and Plymouth.

The Royal Marines have more personnel deployed overseas than at the height of the Afghanistan campaign. These long periods of absence inevitably take a major toll on children and loved ones, which in turn can have a devastating impact on their overall mental health and well-being.

RMA - The Royal Marines Charity Director of Development, Tom Wilson, said: “We are exceptionally grateful to the Advanta Foundation for such a generous donation. These Unit Families Days are especially important and are non-negotiable dates on the Corps’ calendars.

"They serve to reignite a sense of belonging and shared experience in a fun, relaxed environment that can help encourage some of the most vulnerable to open up and start to voice their worries or anxiety.

"Our ongoing priority is to provide support to the vulnerable members of the Royal Marines community, including those of children and younger dependents who are often overlooked.

"The Families’ Days provide an opportunity for us to ensure that families and children are supported and that any concerns they may have can be identified and addressed appropriately. This in turn helps to promote help-seeking behaviours so that supportive interventions can be made much earlier than would otherwise be the case.”

Craig Webster, Advanta’s CEO added: ”People are our greatest asset and supporting each other whilst delivering at an elite level is core to our culture but we know we couldn’t do this without the support of our families. 

The Advanta Foundation exclusively awards grants to children’s causes and the committee felt that military children were extremely deserving of support. We are delighted to be a part of Unit Families' Days and look forward to the voyage of this new partnership.”