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About us

The Naval Children’s Charity has been helping Naval Children since 1825, for nearly 200 years. If you serve or have served in the Naval Service (Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves or Royal Fleet Auxiliary) and you have a child/children up to and including the age of 25 we may be able to help you.

 

Click on Need our Help? and find out more.

 

Our headquarters is in Portsmouth with outreach caseworkers based in Helensburgh and Plymouth covering the UK and Commonwealth. We have a wonderful Trustee Board who support us in what we do.

 

Based in Castaway House alongside other Naval charities such as the RNBT we are able to work closely with them to ensure we can deliver support to children quickly and effectively.

Orginally orphanages, we now use the money from them as a Fund to cover our operating costs which means that every grant and donation – every £1 raised for us goes directly to one of our children.

We help around 2000 children directly each year and many thousands more through our resources and work with communities and other organisations.

We believe that…to be the child of someone who is, or has been, in the Naval Service should be a positive and enhancing experience – something to be borne with pride. For those children where life is more difficult, we are there to help.

History
Meet The Team

Patrons

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas

Eilidh McIntyre MBE

Imogen
Stubbs

Jonathan Guy Lewis

Young Ambassadors

Sian Smith

Marco Bruno Tomo Freire

Ella Baragwanath

Florrie Ransom

Holly Arkle

Hannah Taylor

Maddie Martin

President, Vice Presidents

Lieutenant General
Sir James Dutton
KCB CBE KStJ
President

Rear Admiral Mike Bath
Vice President

Lt General Ed Davis CB CBE
Vice President

Mrs Sheila Owens-Cairns
Vice President

Major General F H R
Howes CB
Vice President

Trustees

Mr Christopher Tite

Chair of Trustees
Chair of Finance Committee
Martin and Penny Connell

Vice Admiral Martin Connell KCB CBE

Vice Chair of Trustees
Finance Committee

Dr Linda Williams

Trustee
Chair of Grants Committee

Ms Ellen Riis-White

Trustee
Chair of Marketing Committee
Grants Committee

Tomearly

Maj. Thomas Early RM

Trustee
Grants Committee Marketing Committee

Mr Kevin Arnold

Trustee
Finance Committee Marketing Committee

iangrant

Lt Col Ian Grant RM Rtd

Trustee
Finance Committee

Cdr Simon Howell RN

Trustee
Grants Committee Marketing Committee

annette

WO1 Annette Penfold VR MBE RN Rtd

Trustee
Grants Committee

clarerob

WO1 Claire Robson RN

Trustee
Grants Committee

Cdr Steve Warner RN

Trustee
Grants Committee Marketing Committee

IanPitt

Mr Ian Pitts

Hon Treasurer
Finance Committee

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HELP
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Members of...

How we can help you

Apply for Financial Assistance using the Lightning Reach portal.

For applications for financial assistance you can apply by clicking on Register for Help below which will take you to the Lightning Reach portal. This platform is provided by our trusted partner, Lightning Reach, a social impact startup which uses secure technology to make the application process as quick and safe as possible for you.

Register for Help
A simple 3 step process
  1. Register and complete your profile here
    When asked to specify which of the Armed Forces you have served in, make sure to select ‘Royal Navy’, ‘Royal Marines’, ‘Merchant Navy in support of the Armed Forces’ or from the roles / industries list to ensure you are matched to Naval Children’s Charity.

  2. Once you’ve completed your profile, you should receive a support match to The Naval Children’s Charity. Click ‘continue’ to complete and submit your application.

  3. Provide your supporting evidence and submit your application to The Naval Children’s Charity.

Once your application has been made a caseworker will be in touch as soon as possible, this is usually within 3 days.

The profile you create on the Lightning Reach portal can also help you to find and apply for support from other support organisations easily and securely. We recommend that you submit your application to The Naval Children’s Charity first before submitting applications to other organisations.

For help with completing your application, visit Lightning Support and search for ‘The Naval Children’s Charity’.

If you have a question or not sure what help you need and require information or advice please use this online form.

Online Enquiry Form
Alternatively, If you would prefer to call our casework team, we can be contacted on 023 9263 9534, our office hours are 0830-1600 Monday to Friday.

How we can help you

The Naval Children’s Charity supports children up to and including the age of 25 whose parent(s) serve or have served in the Naval Service: Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS, their Reserves and the RFA. If you need information or advice regarding support for your child(ren) please fill in the form to the best of your knowledge. One of our caseworkers will then contact you.

If you would prefer to call us we can be contacted on 023 9263 9534, our office hours are 0830-1600 Monday to Thursday and 0830-1300 on Friday.

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas

Dame Scott Thomas is the recipient of a BAFTA Award for FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL. A bilingual actress, she received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for her starring role opposite Ralph Fiennes in Academy Award-winning THE ENGLISH PATIENT. Among her English language screen credits are DARKEST HOUR and MILITARY WIVES just to name a few.



Dame Kristin Scott Thomas was born in Cornwall. Her father was a Lieutenant Commander in the RN’s Fleet Air Arm, who tragically died in a flying accident when Kristin was at the tender age of five. She is the granddaughter of William Scott Thomas, who commanded HMS Impulsive during World War II.

Eilidh McIntyre MBE​

I am an Olympic Gold medalist and a Naval wife. I have been with my now husband since before he joined the Royal Navy and live a life not many can relate to. The greatest achievement of my life so far has been winning the Olympics but I’m also proud of the journey I went on to get there. When I was 10, I was told I had the reading age of a 4 year old and subsequently tested positive for dyslexia. I was fortunate enough to get amazing help at school and went on to get A’s in my GCSE English exams. I’ll always be proud for embracing that part of myself and finding a way to excel in an environment, I didn’t naturally have the skills for. I am so excited to be a patron for this amazing charity, my hope is that my story can normalise the need for a little extra help.

Imogen Stubbs

Imogen’s father was in the Royal Navy on the Ark Royal, and so she spent her very early years living just outside Portsmouth. In later life she has moved back to the area.

In between she read English at Oxford University, went to The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and since then has enjoyed a career in acting 

 

– beginning with the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

She has worked extensively in the West End, with the National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, most of the regional theatres, and many other wonderful venues.

She has recently finished performing in  the Pullitzer prize-winning play Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris at the Park Theatre in London. It actually began rehearsals before the first lockdown – and so it was a relief and a joy to finish the run.

Her TV and film work includes Sense and Sensibility, Jack & Sarah, Twelfth Night, A Summer Story , The Rainbow, Sandra C’est la vie, After the Dance, Othello, Things I know to be true, and Big Kids – an unexpectedly successful children’s TV show which brought her a strange but much appreciated following of five year olds.

She has also written a great deal for various magazines and newspapers – as a columnist, interviewer, article writer, book reviewer and travel writer. Travel writing has taken her on adventures all over the world to magical elsewhere and new horizons – which, ironically, was what attracted her father to join the navy so many years before she was born.

Jonathan Guy Lewis

has worked extensively as an actor, writer, director teacher, mentor, and coach for over thirty years and has won a number of awards for his work. An ex-army scholar, he has a degree from Exeter University in Politics & Society and is a graduate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

 

 

Back in the late 90’s, his regular television roles made him a familiar face on the small screen. They included Sgt Chris McCleod in ‘Soldier, Soldier’, and Station Officer Chris Hammond in ‘London’s Burning’, both for ITV. Whilst starring as Ian Bentley in Coronation Street, over twenty million viewers tuned in to see bride-to-be, Sharon’s (Tracie Bennett) attack on Ian at the alter! He was then seen as Ray Winstone’s brother-in-law in the series for Granada, ‘Vincent’. Other television credits include, ‘Skins Redux’, ‘Endeavour’, ‘Desperados’, ‘Silent Witness’, ‘Sea Of Souls’, ‘Holby’, ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Casualty’, ‘Inspector Morse’, ‘Peak Practice’, and ‘The Governor’.

His first play as a writer was ‘Our Boys’. Based on his own experiences of being invalided out of the military, it won The Writers’ Guild Award for Best New Fringe Play, and he was named as the TAPS new Television Writer of The Year, as well as being nominated for The Lloyds Bank Playwright of The Year.

Over the last few years, he has focused his creative attention on two different areas – education and military veterans. He has been teaching and directing at UK Drama Schools and written a trilogy for the theatre on education – the first part, ‘A Level Playing Field’ was premiered at The Jermyn Street Theatre in April 2015. The second part ‘The Be All & End All’ was produced by York Theatre Royal and Colchester Mercury Theatre in the summer of 2018. From 2018, Jonathan has been working with the Soldiers’ Arts Academy (SAA), becoming it’s Artistic Director at the end of 2019. He wrote and directed a play for military veterans called ‘Soldier On’. This premiered at the Northcott in Exeter and toured the UK, before coming to London, firstly at The Playground Theatre, and then The Other Palace. In 2019, The Roland Gossage Foundation brought the production to The Berkeley St Theatre in Toronto, and it is currently being developed as a film.

Jonathan has now also had considerable experience over the last twenty years designing and delivering personal development and impact skills to the corporate world. He specializes in coaching and mentoring business leaders and understanding the performance aspect in the power of leadership and communication. His work in this area has taken him all over the world and to many different working environments. He is currently a Fellow at Edinburgh University’s School of Nursing.

Sian Smith

Sian has been volunteering for the Naval Children’s Charity for the last 4 years and has now become a young ambassador. She often helps out in the office and supports the team at events. Sian comes from a Naval family with both her father and brother currently serving which gives her a good insight to the impacts of service life on children and young people. She is currently studying Primary Education with QTS at Winchester University.

Bruno Marco Tomo Friere​

My name is Bruno, I am 21 years old and I am a student at Imperial College University. I am originally from Brazil but I came to England in 2009 after my mother Lourdes brought me for schooling. I am proud to be a British citizen and I have loved the time I have spent here. My step-father Andrew was part of the Royal Navy but I have been lucky enough to spend a lot of quality time with him as I grew up. I have a wonderful younger disabled brother called George, who is blind and is affected by pathological demand avoidance. We are both supported by the Navy Children’s Charity, who have helped us immensely. I have a passion for science and renewable energy, and I hope to spend my future as a leader in the reduction of human impact on the environment.

Ella Baragwanath

I’m Ella, I’m 22, and in my last year studying English at the University of Cambridge. My mum died when I was 12 years old, after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease. As a former naval child, I am delighted to be an ambassador for the Royal Navy Children’s Trust. In 2022, myself and three others worked on a project to create resources for bereaved children and their families. We wanted to offer some advice and hope and show that there is a way forward. I’m excited and honoured to continue working to help young people through difficult times

Florrie Ransom​

Hello, I’m Florrie. I grew up a naval child as my dad served for 20 years. It wasn’t always easy; I started boarding at 7 while my family moved around the country and my dad was on deployment, but I am honoured and proud to be part of a family that has helped my dad to serve our country. When I was 10 years old I auditioned to become one of The Poppy Girls and toured the country performing, releasing a single and an album and even getting to sing at The Royal Albert Hall at the festival of remembrance, all to raise funds for The Royal British Legion. I will never forget it and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to give back to the courageous people who have served for us. It is a pleasure to be able to do that again and become an ambassador for the Naval Children’s Charity and spread awareness for naval kids and the challenges we face.

Holly Arkle

“I have been involved with the charity for over 20 years as a beneficiary after my dad died in 2002. I was recently part of the bereavement advisory group and helped put together support booklets for bereaved parents and young people. I am delighted to now represent the charity as a Young Ambassador and help to continue the excellent work that they do.”

Hannah Taylor

I’m 19 and currently studying medicine at university. Both of my parents have served in the Royal Navy, my Dad is still serving and my Mum is currently serving in the RAF. The naval children’s charity is very close to my heart as I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support I received during my primary and secondary education. During my free time I enjoy being active and spending time with my niece and nephew.

Maddie Martin

I am immensely proud to have been selected by the Naval Children’s Charity as an Ambassador for them. As a recipient of support from the charity over the years I cannot begin to express my admiration and respect for what they do and to everyone involved with the charity, all of whom have such a passion, drive, desire and dedication to help and assist our military community, both past and present.     For me personally, if it hadn’t been for the help and support I have received from the Naval Children’s Charity I wouldn’t be where I am today, that being, I have just recently been selected into the GB Senior Women’s Wheelchair Basketball squad. This has given me the most amazing opportunity to proudly and passionately represent my country at the European Championships and World Championships this year plus the Paralympics in Paris next year, something that was a dream of mine ever since I saw the GB team perform at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

      I never gave up that dream and, with the help and support of the Naval Children’s Charity I am now living that dream, something myself and my family are eternally grateful to them for.     My purpose now, in my role as an Ambassador, will be to help support and promote the amazing work that the charity do, in any way that I can.     I will keep you all updated on the most amazing and exciting journey I am about to embark on, with my sincerest hope that I can attend some events to assist with the amazing work that the charity do and hopefully meet some of you one day.   Love Maddie x

Christopher Tite

Christopher chairs the Naval Children’s Charity and he is also a trustee of the Union Jack Club and The Mordaunt Foundation.  

He was previously a trustee of the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the Tall Ships Youth Trust and, for twelve years, a member of the Advisory Board at Greenwich Hospital (a Crown foundation and the Royal Navy’s largest and oldest charity).  

Christopher serves as a non-executive director of The Bristol Port Company, NFU Commercial Holdings Limited and the latter’s group of professional services subsidiaries which focus on land use and development.

He is a Freeman of the City of London.

Dr Linda Williams

Linda joined the NCC as a trustee in June 2021. She began her career as a scientist, working towards a research degree in Cancer Research and subsequently for a short time for the Leukaemia Research Fund. Following this she studied Medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College and after a period of Hospital based posts moved into General Practice Partnership for over 18 years. She is married to a retired Naval Officer and has two adult sons

Ms Ellen Riis-White

As a former beneficiary of The Naval Children’s Charity, I have a deeply personal connection to the mission and values that drive what we do. My journey with the Naval Children’s Charity began when I was 15 years old, when I first experienced the incredible support and resources provided by the Charity. Today, I am honored to serve as a Trustee and to give back to a wonderful organisation that once supported me.

In my role as a Trustee, I lead the Marketing Committee, where I leverage my professional experience as a Marketeer to enhance our communication and engagement initiatives. I am passionate about using my experience and knowledge to help the Naval Children’s Charity grow and thrive, ensuring that we can continue to make a positive impact on Naval Children’s lives.

LT COL IAN WILLIAM GRANT MA RM

Ian Grant served for 32 years as a Royal Marines officer and subsequently became their Corps Secretary for just under 10 years.  The latter post led to him serving as a Trustee/Director on several charity boards. 

Ian joined the Royal Marines in 1973 and, after completion of Commando training, undertook a variety of junior appointments including operations in Northern Ireland in 1975 and the recapture of South Georgia during the 1982 Falklands War.  Specialising as a Landing Craft Officer, he gained his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in HMS HERMES.  Other appointments included commanding a fast patrol boat on loan service in Brunei, and 3 Raiding Squadron RM on anti-illegal immigrant operations in Hong Kong.

In 1989, he attended the Army Staff Course and subsequently held a number of staff appointments including on the Fleet Operations Staff at Northwood and in amphibious capability development at HQRM and then Fleet HQ.  He commanded 539 Assault Squadron RM from 1994 to 1996 and also served for two years on the Directing Staff of the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College.  From 1990 to 1994, he was also the Assistant RM Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. 

In 2006, Ian became the RM Corps Secretary responsible, inter alia, for Corps charities.  This was also when he became a Trustee of the RN&RM Children’s Fund (now the NCC). Ian retired on his 60th birthday in Sep 2015.  He is married to Jean and lives in Hampshire.