Last month Boleh hosted the fourth iteration of Exercise BOLD WATER, supporting the RIFLES Regiment’s ‘Always a Rifleman Programme’ (AARP). This aims to provide respite and confidence rebuilding for veterans of the Regiment whose lives face mental and sometimes physical challenge. For some of the veterans this was their first experience of offshore sailing and the skills required, for others a return to the Boleh ‘Can-do’ experience from which they had drawn real benefit in the past.
Our volunteers, Skipper Bruce Snelling and Mate David Critchley, took Boleh and the former members of the Regiment out on the Solent, including visits to the Palmerston Forts (picture) and Cowes. This time the veterans were also joined by Welfare Officers from 5 Battalion the RIFLES. Their aim was to evaluate Boleh’s potential to benefit serving members of the Regiment as well as families and veterans. We welcome this initiative and are grateful to AARP Director, Lt Col Baz Melia, for this introduction and for his continuing confidence in the Boleh Trust as a reliable therapeutic outlet for his charges.
