HMS Sultan commemorate VE Day with sporting challenge

Personnel started an 80km walk, relay race, and a 5-10km fun run yesterday with events set to finish today.

These activities are in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).

HMS Sultan, originally Gosport Airfield, played a significant role in both world wars.

VE 80 Sports Challenge honours Royal Navy history and supports veterans' charity (Image: Barry Swainsbury) It was home to several squadrons during the Second World War, including the Spitfire and Hurricane.

The airfield was taken over by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in 1945 and became HMS Sultan, the School of Mechanical Engineering, in 1956.

Lieutenant Danny Clarke, who created the VE 80 challenge, said: "The VE 80 Sports Challenge was designed to provide everyone here at Sultan with an opportunity to celebrate VE Day 80 and to raise funds for the RNRMC, whose work supports both those actively in service and service veterans.

"Generations of my family served in the Royal Navy, including my great-grandfather, who served as a 'stoker' (marine engineer) during the Second World War, and my great-uncle, who sadly never returned home from HMS Penelope.

"To remember the important service and sacrifice made by that generation, and to say thank you to all the veterans who continue to inspire us, as we continue to defend the UK is a huge honour."