Retired Commander with the Royal Naval Reserve, Jane Allen’s gruelling walk around mainland Britain’s coastline was put in jeopardy when she fell and seriously injured her arm. However, following surgery, physiotherapy and several weeks of recuperation, Jane’s grit and determination to complete the 5,500-mile walk means that she will re-start her Victory Walk on Monday 29 April.
Commander Jane Allen set off from Portsmouth in October 2017 to walk anti-clockwise around the coastline of mainland Britain in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) and Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust (WRNS BT). 4,300 miles in and on a remote part of the Pembrokeshire coastline, Jane fell, dislocating her shoulder and chipping her humerus bone.
Thankfully, Jane’s cries for help were heard by a worker at nearby Valero’s Pembroke refinery and a first response team rushed to her aid. An ambulance transferred Jane to hospital where staff assessed her and eventually admitted her to theatre where her shoulder was manipulated back into position under general anaesthetic. Having been told that her arm must stay immobile for at least three weeks, Jane realised that the Victory Walk was officially “on hold”.
Following several weeks of rest, recuperation and physiotherapy sessions, Jane has been out on a couple of short walks to build up her strength to re-start the Victory Walk on Monday 29 April.
Speaking on behalf of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Alasdair Akass said:
“Jane has demonstrated tremendous spirit, grit and determination to be able to re-start her tough challenge. We are so grateful to Jane for raising vital funds for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. The money that Jane raises on her long walk around Britain’s beautiful coastline will help us to allocate vital funds to sailors, marines and their families throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.
On behalf of everyone at the RNRMC, we wish Jane the very best of luck with the remaining 1,000 or so miles of her adventure.”
Jane joined the Service when the Women’s Royal Naval Service was separate from the Royal Navy, so the WRNS BT was a charity that also had an obvious affinity with her: it supports all women who joined the WRNS before the Service was disbanded. There are currently an estimated 37,000 former members of the WRNS who in 2017 celebrated their centenary year, together with women in today’s Royal Navy.
Wishing Jane well on behalf of WRNS BT, Cdr Heather Rimmer MBE RN, said:
“Commander Jane Allen is a longstanding supporter of the WRNS Benevolent Trust and we all would like to wish her well with the remainder of her Victory Walk.
The members of the Trust have been closely monitoring her progress around the UK and will continue to support her in any way they can with this final leg of her ambitious project.”
To support Commander Jane Allen on her Victory Walk challenge, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/victorywalk17-18. All proceeds will be equally split between the RNRMC and WRNS BT, both recognised charities of the Royal Navy.
Notes to editors:
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
- The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is the principal charity of the Royal Navy. It exists to support sailors, marines and their families, for life.
- Its Group of charities includes the RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, the Royal Navy Officers’ Charity and the Naval Service Sports Charity.
- Since 2007, it has funded projects and facilities that boost morale for those who serve today. It also distributes millions of pounds annually to military charities which care for the children, families and veterans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
- For more information on the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, please call Amanda Mahoney on 023 9387 1543 or email mahoney@rnrmc.org.uk.
WRNS Benevolent Trust
The WRNS BT provides advice and financial relief, in cases of necessity or distress among its members and their dependants across the world. The Trust is also empowered to make grants for the education of members. A member is anyone who served in the WRNS, including those who transferred to the RN in 1993.
Valero
Valero’s Pembroke refinery is one of the leading employers in south Wales and is one of Europe’s largest and most complex refineries. Valero Energy Ltd, a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation, markets fuel in the UK and Ireland under the Texaco brand. There are around 850 Texaco-branded service stations in the UK and 230 Texaco-branded service stations in Ireland.
