I know it’s been a while since my last bulletin, but hey even CSgt Burra needs some RnR plus my bearers have been busy too, so lots to tell you guys. But blow by blow here we go.
I was invited to Riverside Youth Project in Bristol, to meet the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2RTR) who happened to paying a visit there and to train. Riverside Youth Project is run by Dennis Stinchcombe MBE MA, (Pic 01) this guy even met Her Maj, yep the Queen not bad eh – yet again the CSgt was in good company.
We were invited down by Jayne Donnelly, who helps Dennis run the Riverside Youth Project, to meet the guys from the Regt and also the young people who need the help of the Riverside Project.,
The project helps young kids who struggle in the education system, and get them involved in outdoor activities and sports. The kids get the chance to train in the gym, climb on indoor rock walls and lots of sports like boxing, football and cool stuff like day trips caving or canoeing. For a youngster in a busy city with not many places to hang out and have fun in, the Riverside is a great asset to these kids. They help them along with English Maths and even Art which, with good old Banksy being local, really gives the young people a boost. So for a wee bear like CSgt Burra it was a pleasure to go meet these kids and the Tank guys too, I even took young Ernie O’Kirkalea along with me. Maybe Banksy would be there undercover and paint CSgt Burra on a wall in Brizzle … he he.
We arrived at The Riverside Project which is in Broad Plain, Bristol, we arrived just in time to help Jayne prepare the breakfast for the guys (Pic 02) … mmmm something about sausages down errr, they’re tasty but there not the sausage squares I get back home. Still it was good food and 2RTR gave me the honour of sitting at the head of the table, wicked! (Pic 03) I didn’t find out until the end of the day, but they’d had Jayne’s cooking before!, so I was there as the official food taster, so not that much of an honour eh lads n lasses, that’s in the memory bank guys, Humph !! Ernie had done a runner, I reckon he had Jayne’s scoff before!
So after a hearty feed it was time to hit the gym and work off some of those calories I had just eaten and beef myself up to my fighting weight. So we hit the weight machines, some bench pressing and shoulder presses, trouble is none of the equipment is bear size! (Pic’s 04 and 05) But I was confident I was still in reasonable shape, Ernie was looking worried when he saw me working the punch bag! (Pic 06) He he … It was right turn Clyde, turns out Ernie was a wee bit unsure what happens next, but I told him I would go easy on him as he is only two. So in the ring we went for a couple of sparring rounds, we impressed 2RTR, but I had a feeling they would show us how it was really done, or they were scared of yours truly??
Think I may regret that last remark! The guys and girl [yep one lady boxer, go Shannon! That’s one tough lady, fellas]. They were in town to train for a charity boxing event against another regiment, and pass on some tips to the kids at the project. Everyone got involved it what was a real busy day, even the two lads back in pic 01 with Dennis, Corey and Jacob, got some firsthand training from our guys, and they are progressing nicely with their boxing, so a big thank you from them to the guys.
After the guys hit the showers it was time for some relaxing: a couple of games of pool were in order. Now I can play pool with the best of them, but this Shannon not only can she box, she is a pool shark too. But CSgt still got it (pic 08). Then it was back into the ring for some snaps with our heroes from 2RTR – even Ernie got in the snaps. First up was Shannon and Tom, (Pic 09) then all the guys jumped in the ring. G,ood job it was just for pictures as they’re a hefty bunch(Pic10). Dennis brought up his St George’s flag and our guys were more than happy to have their pictures taken with it, I hear they have a copy hanging up in the mess. (Pic 11-13)
CSgt Burra would like to wish 2RTR all the best in their coming postings: you guys, like all our service men and women, do a great job. I know all the people at Riverside Youth Project appreciate all you did that day and every day.
I’ll be visiting the Riverside Youth Project again soon where I meet up with an old friend of Holidays4Heroes. Now I’m a bit tired after all that so Ernie said he will treat me to one of them ciders, take care …. hic, all, hic
C/Sgt Burra, just to say it was a sincere pleasure and honour to have you visit our centre in Bristol, I am glad you enjoyed what we do here and met our Staff team and young people. We all wish you well with your continued fund raising efforts and all realise what a fantastic gesture it is in fact a lifeline to many of our young returning heroes from the forces. The article is excelent and I will be sharing it with the Royal Society of St George so that when people click in to the youth section they will see what a great job you really are doing for the service personell of our great country.
Thank you too, Sir. I know it’s a bit strange having a knitted Bear or two joining in your activities, but it seems nobody was too embarrassed!!
We do what we can, as do you. Sometimes it feels like a trudge through a swamp, but I guess we’re both getting somewhere … somehow!
All the best for your future endeavours, and thanks for the recommendation./