Twenty-five personnel from several different organisations across HM Naval Base Clyde recently pulled together in a tremendous team effort to walk, and in some cases run, 42.65 miles for charity.
The Clyde team, which was made up of Royal Navy, MOD Guard Service, Forces Financial, Babcock and Lockheed Martin staff and families, embarked on the annual Keswick to Barrow-in-Furness walk on Saturday, May 7.
The walk, which is known as the K2B, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The event originated in 1966 as a result of a statement made by US President John F Kennedy who said that: “every American should be capable of walking 50 miles a day”.
At the time the UK’s first Polaris Submarine, HMS Resolution, was under construction at Barrow Shipyard where several American experts were involved in the project. Plans were soon under way to organise the walk, helping to cement relationships between the submarine crew and Shipyard workers.
The Clyde team during this year’s walk included Captain of the Base, Captain Craig Mearns, who was the first person across the finish line for the Naval Base.
“It was great to be part of a team from across the Base taking part in a very demanding challenge which brought together so many people from different organisations in a common purpose,” said Captain Mearns.
“It was wonderful to experience the team spirit and determination of everyone involved and also to have the opportunity to raise money for some well-deserving causes.”
Completing this year’s K2B was an extra-special achievement for one of the Clyde team. Debbie Walker of Lockheed Martin UK Strategic Systems (LMUK SS), who was team coordinator, completed her seventh K2B and was presented with a tankard by Managing Director of LMUK SS, Mike Scott.
“I had the easy job of standing at the finishing line to present medals to many of the 2,500 competitors and was particularly delighted to welcome home the Clyde team when they made it back to Barrow,” he said.
“It was also a privilege to present the tankard to Debbie Walker for her truly amazing achievement.”
Also taking part were a team from Royal Navy submarine HMS Astute, consisting of eleven runners and two support drivers. The Astute team were running for children’s hospice, Claire House, and raised over £2,000 for the worthwhile cause.
The HM Naval Base Clyde team’s chosen charities were: Parkinson’s UK, MacMillan, Cumbria Flood Appeal, the Alzheimer’s Society, Help for Heroes, The Beatson, and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).
All money raised will be presented to the charities at an awards night in Barrow later in the year.
