829 SQUADRON CELEBRATE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OVER 829 MILES

829 SQUADRON CELEBRATE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OVER 829 MILES

Determined to mark the tenth anniversary of 829 Naval Air Squadron operating Merlin helicopters with an event, members of the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose based outfit set out to celebrate with more than just a party.

Choosing a day when as many personnel from the squadron were back at the Air Station was always going to be a problem, but a date before Christmas was set and planning for the memorable event began. They chose also to complete 829 miles by “Running – Cycling – Rowing” at various locations around RNAS Culdrose and in some of the larger supermarkets around the local community ofWest Cornwall.

“It was a tremendous effort by the Squadron,” said Lieutenant Mike Hawkins of 829 NAS. “We wanted to do something for someone else rather than just having a big party. Everyone was enthusiastic and really got involved, it turned into a great team building exercise with all money raised going towards our squadron’s chosen Charity”.

Teams were made up from across the squadron and set out to woo the public at the Sainsbury’s in Helston and ASDA store in Penryn where their rowing and cycling efforts were added to the 829 mile total.

Another team ran around the Air Station for most of the afternoon collecting money in buckets from those they encountered. Their route finished at ‘Hellitots’, the base’s nursery for personnel who work at Culdrose, where the enthusiastic youngsters threw water balloons at the runners

With all the money now in the grand total has reached £3243.48 and reaping the benefits from the Sailors and Airman of 829 NAS was ‘Children’s Hospice South West – Little Harbour’.

In the evening, hosted in the Warrant Officers and Senior Rates Mess, the squadron along with their guests celebrated the occasion with a social event, culminating in a charity raffle.

Prizes for the raffle ranged from a one night stay for two at a luxurious Falmouth Hotel, Pirates Rugby match shirt - a signed match ball along with two match tickets, a ‘81 Bun’ - Romantic Tiger Bap for two with softies and a free haircut donated by the base barber.