This is normal for me

We have been sent this wonderful poem by one of our children, Jacob, aged 10, who is a submariner’s son. It won second place in the Never Such Innocence competition 2020. Huge congratulations to Jacob.

This is normal for me.

This is normal for me, but some people don’t know how it feels.

It can get rough sometimes, children tease because I’m different.

Dad is not there.

I watch the sea for him, I stand still and stare.

This is normal for me, but it might be different if you stayed around a lot.

Christmas, birthdays, holidays, New Years, when we have been apart.

Missing someone so much I have no words for being so sad.

Separation and silence. 

This is normal for me, counting days until you are gone,

No mark on the calendar to count down your return.

You had to leave me in hospital, I knew you had to go.

You do such a good job and you were hurting too I know.

This is normal for me, it would help if you knew how it feels.

To feel special, to be part of my family and community.

Every time I see you I am filled with such joy.

You’re important to me, you’re important to everybody, our country.

I still watch the sea. This is normal for me.

By Jacob Mason age 10 (Serving Submariners son)

You can find his poem and the other winners via this link (they are all amazing!): https://www.neversuchinnocence.com/2019-20-winners

First Annual Meeting Trinity House March 2020

Earlier this year we held our First Annual Meeting as the Naval Children’s Charity and launched our new brand. Several of our families that had received support from us in the past travelled up to join us and shared their stories with those present. We are hugely grateful to them for this and will be sharing the videos of their stories with you all shortly. The Chairman, Alistair Sheppard, and the Chief Executive, Clare Scherer, gave those present an overview of the origins of the charity and our plans for the future.  

Our thanks go to Trinity House for the use of their beautiful building, Chamberlain’s of London for the delicious food and Farr Vinters for the champagne. If you would like to know more about us please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

We have been supporting Naval children since 1825, nearly 200 years, when the first orphanages were opened in Portsmouth and Chatham and then as the needs of our children have evolved and developed over the years we have changed and evolved and developed into the Charity we are today. We hope that we are going to continue to develop and make impact into our children’s lives as we go forward. Families come to us for help and we respond quickly and with compassion to their unique challenges so that we can deliver what they need.

If you think we could help you please do get in touch either by using the form on the website or by contacting us directly by email caseworkers@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk or by phone 023 9263 9534

We have created a short video with highlights from our Annual Meeting at Trinity House, March 2020. Click to watch.

Type 21 Club

Our thanks go to the members of the Type 21 Club for their generous donation of £1000 in support of our children.

“All members of the Type 21 Club extend their thanks to the team at the Naval Children’s Charity for their committed work and wish them all success in their endeavours on behalf of Naval Children in need.”

The Type 21 Association, more commonly known as the ‘Type 21 Club’, was formed to bring together all those who served in the Royal Navy Type 21 (Amazon Class) frigates. The eight ships of the class entered service between 1970 and 1975; they were Amazon, Antelope, Ambuscade, Arrow, Active, Alacrity, Ardent and Avenger. The first all gas turbine powered ships, they were known for their distinctive sleek lines and good turn of speed. The 21s became the 4th Frigate Squadron, based at Devonport and seven of the eight ships served in the 1982 Falklands conflict. Sadly two of the ships, Ardent and Antelope, were lost during the conflict with many lives lost. 

The Club numbers some 1800 and includes many Commanding Officers. No membership fees are charged and all its income arises from the annual reunions. Ten such reunions have now been held with ex 21ers returning from all corners of the globe. Their generosity has allowed a Type 21 memorial and bench to be installed at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), as well providing for charitable donations to worthy causes. Previous donations have been made to TS Ambuscade, RN&RM Riding School, NMA, Falkland Islands Museum development, RNBT and RNRMC.

Type 21 Frigate

Vice President Lt Gen Ed Davis ends tenure as Governor of Gibraltar

Vice President of the Naval Children’s Charity, Lt Gen Ed Davis stepped down as Governor of Gibraltar in February 2020. He and his wife Lorraine were much loved during their time there and crowds lined the streets to say farewell to them. You can read more here We are delighted to welcome them home to the UK and look forward to seeing more of them at the Naval Children’s Charity

Royal Naval Association

Once Navy, Always Navy. The RNA is a wonderful organisation for shipmates and oppos. There are branches all around the UK and we are so grateful to the many of them that send us in donations.

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