Wimbledon Gym Members Are Enlisted To Go Commando

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Urged to compete in an ultra-fit charity challenge

Personal trainers and staff from the Nuffield Gym in Wimbledon are enlisting members to ’go commando’ on September 19.

3,000 members are being asked to compete in an Ultra Fit challenge against Royal Marines to support local businesswoman and Nuffield member, Marnie Threapleton's, charity 30 mile trek wearing a 40lb back pack.

Marnie, aged 48, from Graham Road, Wimbledon will come face to face with one of the most difficult terrains encountered by the Royal Marines when she takes part in the 2015 Survive The Yomp challenge on September 12 in the Highlands of Scotland to raise £10,000 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust.

Marnie will endure exactly what elite Royal Marine Commandos face when training for the coveted Green Beret.

As a Nuffield gym member, Marnie is thrilled by their support: "I've done a lot of my training here at the gym – the staff have always been really supportive and I’m bowled over by their encouragement and desire to help me achieve my goals."

Nuffield is running the Ultra-fit event from 7th to 20th September to support Marnie’s challenge including promotional activities on National Activity day, September 9, on the piazza outside the gym between 12 and 2pm.

Collection buckets will be placed around the gym and 3,000 invites will be sent out to members to bring guests along to the event to test their fitness against Royal Marine Commandos at the gym between 11-1pm on the 19th September.

Lynn Waddicor, Gym Manager, Nuffield Gym Wimbledon said: "We are proud to take part in such a worthwhile cause for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust. Marnie is a great example of what our members achieve."

Marnie is one of the brave participants from across the world who will be taking part in the event in September and is endeavouring to raise £10,000 for the Commando Spirit Appeal.

Such an inspiration is Marnie that her training and ‘Survive The Yomp’ challenge is being filmed to form part of a promotional movie of the event for the Royal Marines.

Said Marnie: "I'm honoured to be included in this film, although the thought of trying to smile when I’m giving my all to the yomp and absolutely exhausted, will be a challenge in itself!"

Marnie has also organized a black tie fund raising charity auction dinner “Survived the Yomp” at the Hotel Du Vin at Cannizaro House on Wimbledon Common on Thursday 22nd October 2015 to raise further funds for the charity. Tickets are available through Eventbrite: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/survived-the-yomp-charity-auction-dinner-tickets-17762085877

Part of the Commando Spirit Series of fundraising challenge events raising funds for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, the training exercise is normally only experienced by Royal Marines Commandos.

The Highlands of Scotland is the setting for the annual Survive The Yomp and the 30-mile challenge will take place in and around Spean Bridge, home to the iconic Commando Memorial, and Achnacarry Castle. Participants will follow in the footsteps of thousands of Royal Marines who trained in the remote and unforgiving terrain to become ‘Commandos’ and prepare for their pivotal roles in World War II; the area is not called Commando Country for nothing! It is especially important this year as 2015 marks the 75th anniversary of the formation of the British Commandos.

Marnie said: "The Commando Spirit Appeal really struck a chord and when I heard about this challenge I thought now is the time for me to sign up, give back and commit to take part. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that will challenge me both mentally and physically and push me to the absolute limit but the thought of raising so much money for such a worthwhile cause will give me the will power and determination to achieve this.

"I’ve already had a lot of support from family, friends and colleagues and now I’m hoping the people of Wimbledon will get behind me too and sponsor my efforts to raise a fantastic sums for the Commando Spirit Appeal for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

"I haven’t come across a charity challenge like this so I’m also calling out to anyone in the local community to join me. If you want to create history and be part of this once in a lifetime experience, join me in “Commando Country’ and we will get through it together!"

Sally-Anne Hunter, Commando Spirit Series Founder and Director, said: "Marnie has made a big commitment and for that we are both grateful and delighted to have her on board. Survive the Yomp should not be underestimated. This is one of the most physically and mentally demanding challenges which is why it is the final test all Royal Marines Commandos face to gain their green beret.

"Marnie embodies everything Commando Spirit stands for her courage, grit and determination will see her through and the memories she will take from this event will last a lifetime.  Everyone involved in the event will be willing her to succeed and we hope the people of Wimbledon back her campaign to support the Commando Spirit for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust."

The Commando Spirit Series offers participants a rare insight into what it means to be a Royal Marines Commando today. Commando Spirit participants get the chance to test their courage and character against some of the most formidable aspects of Royal Marines training, be supported through their experience by our Royal Marines, be invited to Royal Marines events and help raise life changing sums for those in need.

Major General Martin Smith, Commandant General of the Royal Marines said: "I am delighted Survive The Yomp will take place in iconic Commando Country and take us back to our old ‘yomping’ ground in and around Achnacarry, Scotland. I wish all participants the very best of luck, and extend my gratitude for their tremendous fundraising efforts."

The RMCTF has as wide a set of purposes as any Service charity, working to support those wounded and injured, as well as those still serving, by funding decompression activities, homecoming events and memorials. It also provides through-life support to those who have left the Corps or dependents who have lost loved ones in service. Importantly, a significant grant is also made to the next of kin of all Royal Marines killed in service within 48 hours.

For more information on the Commando Spirit Appeal and Series or to take part in Survive The Yomp, please visit www.commandospirit.com.

To sponsor Marnie please visit –  https://www.justgiving.com/Marnie-Threapleton/.

To buy tickets for the fund raining charity event at Cannizaro on September, please contact  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/survived-the-yomp-charity-auction-dinner-tickets-17762085877

September 3, 2015