Thousands of pounds were given away to Service and local charities and good causes recently at the annual HMS Sultan Summer Show Charity Cheque Reception.
Presented by Captain Peter Towell, the Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan, and the Guest of Honour, local Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage, representatives from 37 different good causes each received cheques for a share of £25,000.
Donations from the Show’s Charity Chest included a wide spectrum of beneficiaries from The Mayor of Gosport’s Charity Appeal and youth organisations including scout groups and cadet unit’s right through to charities aimed specifically at supporting the infirmed or elderly.
In addition the Royal Navy’s principal charity The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and the annual HMS Sultan Summer Camp for Blind Veterans UK were among the benefactors.
Throughout 2016 HMS Sultan has been celebrating 60 years as a centre of excellence within engineering.
The Establishment remains committed towards promoting Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) subjects to future generations and thanks to the Summer Show’s Charity Chest a donation was made possible towards Brune Park’s new LEGO Education Innovation Studio.
The LEGO Innovation Studio opened in July this year and will not only be used to help budding engineers from Brune Park, but also students from multiple schools and colleges within the local area.
The donation from the 2016 HMS Sultan Summer Show will now provide additional funds for the purchase of a specially equipped table which will enhance the Studio’s learning experience.
Stephen Shaw, Innovation and Development Manager for Brune Park School said: “The table creates a central resource with a stand up edge which stops bits going on the floor, where users can both design and build and test their resources.”
“Currently we’ve got old tables that are joined together so there are dips and cracks and they don’t go together.
“The table will not only lift the appearance, but more importantly create a central resource almost like a games area, to design build and test whatever it is that they’ve built.”
“HMS Sultan is already on our sponsor’s board that recognises their contribution, I’m staggered and very grateful for their additional support, it will be fabulous.”
All of the charity funds distributed at the Reception were raised as a result of the HMS Sultan Summer Show which took place back in June.
Captain Peter Towell, the Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan said: “I am delighted that we have been able to recognise so many good causes.
“We are so grateful to the people of Gosport who came out in force to support the Summer Show. To raise £25,000 over the course of a single weekend is a massive achievement for everyone.”
“Months of planning go into the Summer Show, but for most of our personnel it sees them give up a small percentage of their time.
“So many of the recipients here today put so much in to promoting these good causes and it’s truly humbling to be able to be able to recognise their efforts.”
Sultan’s next big community event is the HMS Sultan Bonfire and Fireworks Night on Thursday 27 October.
For further information visit: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/sultan-fireworks
