‘supporting The Royal Marines Family’ (charity reg no: 1139194)

Taunton based charity Go Commando are proud to announce ‘An Evening with Falklands War Veteran - Simon Weston CBE’

PRESS RELEASE 25th March 2016….

Following the conclusion of his hugely successful UK tour ‘My Life My Story’ and in association with Queen’s College, Taunton we are delighted that Simon is joining us for a special one off evening on Friday 6th May, 2016 for an inspirational event to be held in Queen’s Hall, the College’s newly refurbished auditorium.

Simon will tell his own story of events that changed his life forever. Now a household name, Simon tells it as it is – the highs, the lows and how he set about rebuilding his life following the fateful day he was on board the stricken naval vessel RFA Sir Galahad, destroyed by enemy fire.

The evening is being held as a charity fundraiser for locally based Royal Marines Charity, Go Commando who are about to launch ‘360 for GC-Because We Care’. A campaign to raise £360,000 to create a new Family Community Centre in close proximity to the home of 40 Commando Royal Marines base at Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton. The facility will not just be available to military families but also the local community and is already gaining great interest and momentum from partner agencies supporting the project. Just a £360 contribution is all it takes as a 1/1000th donation in the project.

We are grateful to both Simon and Queen’s College for getting behind the charity and early indications show the evening will be extremely popular.

Editor notes below & copy flyer attached. Promotion would be appreciated.

 For further information about the above event, press enquiries or further information about Go Commando , please contact: Debbie Howarth [email protected]  Online Tickets available from bookings.queenscollege.org.uk or 01823 340880

 More information about ‘360 for GC-Because We Care’ to [email protected]

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To quote Simon: “My mother, Pauline, is hugely important to me. The fact I had a path in life and I’ve got a social conscience in the way that I care about other people is because of her. She was a district, psychiatric and general nurse – she cared about everyone and she’s an unbelievably compassionate person. She just loved me – I can’t put it any other way. She lives close by and I see her regularly. At 16, she dragged me down to the army recruitment office. Four years later, she was there for me when I returned from the Falklands severely burned and unrecognisable. Everything I am today is because of my mother, and she is the person who has kept me together. She couldn’t say anything when she saw my injuries for the first time. She was in deep shock – her legs went from under her and she had to be taken away. Since then, I’ve had close to 95 operations and she’s been by my side throughout. I’m not defined by the Falklands war – I’m defined by what I’ve done since, and that’s the difference. Instances can play a huge part in your life but they don’t necessarily define what your life is and who you are. My mother made sure I was still here after what happened to me and she looked after me”…….

Go Commando (www.gocommando.org.uk) was founded in 2010 by businessman Sean O’Brien* in response to overwhelming desire from the community of Taunton to support the locally based Royal Marines Unit - 40 Commando RM on return from their arduous tour of Afghanistan, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 of their men. Through recognition and awareness, the charity now supports Royal Marines and their families across the country, identifying the unrelenting pressures and demands placed on the wives, partners and children, who often find themselves far from their own families and raising small children alone for months on end whilst their menfolk are away in conflict zones or operational training exercises. Go Commando supports through direct funding in times of need, and through portfolios across the Royal Navy and Royal Marines charitable organisations and funds. Go Commando also embraces the good times and enjoy getting involved in many family fun events and activities. (* Sean O’Brien tragically lost his battle with cancer in March 2014. He was 47 years old.) ‘supporting The Royal Marines Family’ (charity regn no: 1139194)