Friends raise nearly £3k for naval stalwart Sid Street’s favourite charity 29 November 2022 Topic: CommunityFundraising Storyline: Fundraising Just shy of £3,000 will give families a beacon in their darkest hours, thanks to friends of a Navy sporting stalwart. Chief Petty Officer Graham ‘Sid’ Street died earlier this year after a five-year fight with bowel cancer. A mainstay of RN rugby union on and off the pitch, Sid used his passion for sport to raise more than £250k for good causes, not least Charlie’s Beach Hut in Perranporth, Cornwall. It serves as a holiday home for families of children with life-limiting illnesses – or the families of firefighters killed or gravely wounded in the line of duty. Sid’s pals – and fellow rugby stalwarts – Lieutenant Commanders Kerry Packer and Michael ‘Doc’ Cox decided the best way to honour his memory was to fundraise for his favourite cause. The result was the M6/50 challenge: 50 hours in the saddle, cycling ‘More than a Million Metres in Memory of My Mate’ (hence the six Ms, nothing to do with the motorway…). The pair chose remembrance weekend at Sid’s beloved Portsmouth Rugby Club, ending in time to pay their respects at the November ceremony. “Sid was a huge character and was always there when anyone needed help or advice,” said Kerry, who works at Navy HQ in Portsmouth. “During his illness Sid raised over £250k for various cancer charities and it seemed fitting to keep his memory alive in raising funds for one of his personal favourites, Charlie's Beach Hut. “This was about matelots honouring the memory of oppos who have crossed the bar – we’re here to support each other in all circumstances, even after our demise!” The pair spent 17 hours in the saddle apiece. Collectively, they peddled 1,000,010 metres… 621 miles (18 more than the distance between Land’s End to John O’Groats). Volunteers, including Commander Ed Moss-Ward, added another 366 kilometres to the total cycled on the machines. Kerry and Doc were joined at the finish by Sid’s widow Alison plus Steve and Karen Codling – parents of the late Charlie who gave his name to the seaside retreat. You can donate to the cause until Saturday Dec 3: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/m650/
