Christmas can be a challenging time for families with loved ones deployed in the Submarine Service, especially for young children who miss their parents during the festive season. To bring joy and comfort, the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), in collaboration with The Submarine Family (TSF) and Reading Force, have sent 52 special Christmas parcels to primary-aged children whose parents are currently deployed on submarine duties.
Each parcel was carefully hand-wrapped by the dedicated team at RNRMC and Jan Dunn, a passionate volunteer and supporter of both TSF and RNRMC, who is also the wife of Commodore Paul Dunn OBE, Commodore of the Submarine Service. The parcels contained thoughtful gifts to bring smiles to children’s faces, including a Nelson teddy bear dressed in a bespoke Christmas outfit lovingly tailored by the skilled team at HMS Nelson, and the beautifully illustrated book Super Submarines by Tony Mitten and Ant Parker, which was generously donated by Reading Force.
For children whose parents are away during the festive period, these parcels mean much more than just receiving gifts. Submarine deployments can be particularly challenging for families, with long periods of separation and limited communication. The parcels serve as a powerful reminder to these young beneficiaries that they are not alone and are part of a wider community that values and supports them.
This initiative would not have been possible without the generosity of Reading Force, whose donation of Super Submarines added a creative and educational element to the parcels. Sharing a story can help children feel closer to their deployed parent, even across great distances. The submarine theme of the book provides an opportunity for children to connect with their parent’s unique role in a meaningful way.
You can find out more about Reading Force and the work that they do on their website www.readingforce.org.uk
