Personnel from the Royal Navy’s Recovery Centre – RNRC Hasler based at Devonport Naval Base – have taken a day out to participate in various physical challenges to support and donate money in aid of 26-year-old Sophie Ward with the #26forsoph campaign.
The activities in aid of the #26forsoph campaign were centred around the Endeavour Gym at HMS Drake and the surrounding areas of Plymouth. The main drive of the day was to support and donate money in aid of 26-year-old Sophie Ward, a Royal Marines musician who is currently assigned to Hasler, after she received a devastating diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in January 2024.
Despite the rapid progression of this debilitating disease and the obvious challenges Sophie’s resilience and determination has shone through and been nothing short of inspiring.
To support Sophie’s ongoing care and treatment she has received backing from three vital charities — The Royal Marines Charity, Dorothy House Hospice Care, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Meanwhile her bandmates in the Royal Marines and members of Hasler have undertaken various challenges in support of the #26forSoph fundraising campaign, across the Royal Navy.
In Devonport, Hasler personnel challenged themselves based around the number 26, Sophie’s age. Activities included an individual running a 26-mile marathon, others completing a 26-mile triathlon or gym-based challenges completing 26 miles using various CV equipment. These challenges focus the commitment to Sophie’s fight and to highlight awareness to MND.
Warrant Officer ‘Stan’ Bloomer Royal Marines, Sophie’s recovery officer said:
“Everyone in Hasler wanted to come together to advertise their support for Sophie and the crucial charities that have assisted her and close family so well since her diagnosis.
“Despite having challenges of their own all those Hasler personnel who took part in raising funds for #26forSoph showed selflessness and determination in all the activities they undertook”.
To see the Just Giving page for #26forsoph that has hit just over £58,000 from the time of writing tap the link below:
Just Giving Page for #26forSoph
