A Commander with the Royal Naval Reserve has chosen to spend the first year of her retirement taking on a gruelling 5,500-mile charity walk around mainland Britain’s coastline.
Commander Jane Allen, who is soon to end a 37-year career, marked the beginning of her Victory Walk outside Admiral Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, in Portsmouth.
The Victory Walk will continue throughout 2017 and 2018, aiming to raise money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust.
Commander Allen joined the Service when the Women’s Royal Naval Service was separate from the Royal Navy, so the WRNS BT was a charity that also had an obvious affinity with her: it supports all women who joined the WRNS before the Service was disbanded.
There are currently an estimated 40,000 former members of the WRNS who are celebrating the 2017 centenary year, together with women in today’s Royal Navy.
Commander Allen, who is supported by her husband and former Royal Marine, Frank, will aim to complete the 5,500-mile challenge and return to Portsmouth by October next year.
The final leg will see Jane return to do her final miles around Portsmouth and finish at HMS Victory.
“Having had a long Naval Service and being closely involved with the WRNS100 Centenary year, selecting the RNRMC and WRNS BT charities was the obvious choice,” she said.
“Between us, Frank and I, have almost 70 years’ service in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, from Aden to Afghanistan. The Victory walk seemed a good way of marking the end of my career, taking on a year’s challenge and ‘giving back’.”
On behalf of the Royal Navy, Second Sea Lord Vice-Admiral Jonathan Woodcock said: “I’d like to wish Commander Jane Allen the best of luck with her coastal walk for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
“As she prepares to retire from the Royal Naval Reserve, Jane is bravely throwing herself in at the deep end again to raise money for the principal charity of the Royal Navy and the WRNS Benevolent Trust.
“In doing so, Commander Allen continues to embody the commitment and resolve demonstrated by those in the naval services. On behalf of Navy Command, I wish Jane the best of luck with her challenge and hope that she enjoys her retirement.”
To support Commander Jane Allen on her Victory Walk challenge, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/victorywalk17-18 . All proceeds will be equally split between the RNRMC and WRNS BT, both recognised charities of the Royal Navy.
