Ayrshire Sailor and Navy Mate Embark on Cross-Country Charity Race

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An Ayrshire-based Royal Navy serviceman, Matthew, is teaming up with his naval pal Cameron for a unique challenge, trading ships for train schedules in the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity’s “Race Across the UK”.

Forged through years of service and a mutual appreciation for adventure (and the odd pub visit), the duo will navigate across Britain without a map, set route, or guaranteed sleep. The event tasks teams with making their way from Edinburgh to Dartmouth using limited funds and public transport, testing both endurance and ingenuity.

Having met during their initial military training, Matthew and Cameron became fast friends. Though now stationed at opposite ends of the country, they’ve kept their friendship alive through regular reunions. “Usually over a pint or two,” they joked, adding that the challenge offered “the perfect way to carry on that tradition – just with a lot more walking and a lot less sleep.”

The pair is raising funds for the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), which provides critical support to service personnel and their families. “We’ve seen firsthand just how much the charity does to support those in uniform and their families,” they said. “It’s great to be able to give something back, other than our dignity when we inevitably board the wrong train.”

The spirit of the race, which encourages creativity over comfort, drew the pair to the challenge. With a modest budget and no planned route, success depends on their ability to make quick decisions, charm strangers, and maybe endure a few wrong turns. “They’ve been incredibly generous,” the duo added, referring to their supporters. “Either that or they’re just excited to watch us try and navigate train routes and see how lost we get.”

Behind the light-hearted banter lies a serious commitment to giving back. RNRMC provides practical and emotional support for naval families through deployment, injury, bereavement, and other challenges of service life.

“RNRMC does amazing work supporting service families through tough times,” they said. “This is a fun way to help ensure that support continues. Plus, it beats doing press-ups for sponsorship.”

With a mission full of laughs, missed connections, and meaningful purpose, Matthew and Cameron are proving that even off duty, service personnel continue to serve, this time, through grit, wit, and good humour.