Royal Navy submariners from attack submarine HMS Astute were recently awarded a trophy for their performance during an annual walking challenge.
The 'Richardson Trophy' is given for the best performance by a team from the Armed Services and was presented to HMS Astute’s Marine Engineering Department for their efforts during the 42.65 mile Keswick to Barrow walk on May 7 this year.
The team, who actually ran the course, did it on behalf of Wirral children’s hospice, Claire House, raising over £2,000 for the charity.
Presenting the trophy was Commander Botting, Commanding Officer of HMS Asute, along with Mike Scott, Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK – Strategic Systems.
Captain of HMS Neptune, Captain Craig Mearns, who also took part in the event, said: “It was a wonderful to experience the team spirit and determination of everyone involved and also to have the opportunity to raise money for some well-deserving causes.”
The Keswick to Barrow walk (K2B) began in 1966 when the first Royal Navy Polaris Submarine, HMS Resolution, was under construction at the Barrow shipyard.
The event was prompted by a statement made by then US President John F Kennedy who said that “every American should be capable of walking 50 miles a day.”
Plans for the walk were soon underway, helping to build relationships between the submarine crew and the shipyard workers.
The submariners, pictured above, are (left to right) back row: Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Jackson, Engineering Technician (ET) Easingwood, Petty Officer Engineering Technician (POET) Gilpin, ET McIntyre, Leading Engineering Technician (LET) Fisher, and ET Moon.
Front row: WO2 Graham, Chief Petty Officer Gilhespy, Mike Scott (presenting trophy), Lieutenant Commander Lister, Commander Botting and WO2 Jarvis-Broad.
