We sadly say goodbye to our Patron Graham (Sid) Street

Aug 19, 2022 |

It is with absolute sadness we write this post.
 
Our incredible, one of a kind, friend and Patron to Charlie’s charity passed away peacefully on 16.08.2022 surrounded by his family. Chief Petty Officer Graham ‘Sid’ Street BEM.
 
Many of you will have met Sid during one of the countless fundraisers he involved himself in for Charlie’s charity. A master of ceremonies like no other! Never afraid to get involved in events that pushed him to his limits….be it speaking at prestigious dinners and events whilst promoting Charlie’s or competing in numerous Great South Runs, the Great River row, Rugby, Triathlons and so many others that he did with such ease.
To us, a once in a lifetime friend.
 
To Charlie….his very own Pirate friend. Believing wholeheartedly when we’d visit Sid on HMS Victory that he was a fearless pirate with his very own ship. Charlie was so proud of this friendship. Memories of the two of them will remain firm with us and we are forever grateful to have them.
In his day job, Sid was an underwater warfare specialist, but it’s for his support for his favourite sport and charity work that many ‘shipmates’, who got to know him over a 35-year career, will perhaps best remember him.
 
Diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017, Sid, originally from Little Clacton in Essex – devoted much of his spare time to his family and fundraising for charities both fighting the disease and helping young people. Devoted and passionate about the mission of Charlie’s Beach Hut charity, Sid never faltered with new ideas and was incredibly successful at representing the charity. Even in these last weeks he was adamant that his ‘Coffee and cake for Charlie’s’ fundraiser must be up and running before his passing – and he achieved it.
 
Sid excelled in his contribution to Rugby Union (Wasps and Croydon) and Royal Navy Rugby Union in the front row both as a player and coach. He ran in the legendary Field Gun run for Portsmouth on several occasions and did anything to promote sport in the Senior Service. He joined the Royal Navy in February 1987 and served in many Portsmouth-based units including training establishments, earning nine Service medals during his time in uniform, as well as the Meritorious Service and, just two years ago, the British Empire Medal for his work with Charlie’s Beach Hut. A huge character with an even bigger heart, renowned for naval anecdotes (known as ‘Sid dits’), Sid was an inspiration and role model to many, continuing to pass on his passion for and experience of the Navy to new generations of sailors, most recently at HMS Collingwood. Major Steve Cox RM, in charge of the Hasler rehabilitation centre at > HMS Drake in Plymouth – where Sid spent his final serving months “Throughout his battle with cancer, he demonstrated fortitude and immense resilience in abundance; never allowing his trademark sense of humour and razor-sharp wit to wane,” he said.“His desire to help and support those around him never faltered and his positive influence will endure within every staff, whether civilian or military and personnel assigned to the Royal Navy Recovery Centre Hasler. It was a privilege to serve alongside him – he will be missed.”
 
Our thoughts are with Sid’s family and we can only thank them for sharing their ‘legend’ with us for all these years.
 

The Legend Ian Dory

Aug 12, 2022 |

The legend that is Ian Dory Douglas has only got himself interviewed on Express FM this evening talking about his incredible dishwasher challenges. Apologies for the editing but at over 9 minutes long and 60gb in size, it needed chopping down in to 3 bite sized chunks but I think you’ll all agree that Ian smashed the interview out of the park. Don’t forget to check out Ian’s next challenge walking some 60 miles across the South Downs Way 19 – 22 Aug 22 with a dishwasher on his back – amazing challenge! Well done Dors and thank you helping so many families to ‘Find Their Wonderful in Today’.

Coffee & Cake

Aug 12, 2022 |

Thank you lovely Estelle Dolling and all your family and friends. A cracking £149.31 raised at ‘Coffee and Cake for ‘Charlie’s’ with Estelle and all homemade by Stelli too. Charlie’s Beach Hut is super grateful (albeit a little disappointed there was no cake in the bag on it’s return!!) 😂. This will make such a difference – thank you ⭐️

Solent Airport, Daedalus

May 19, 2022 |

And there it is! A fabulous whopping cheque presented by the lovely Cathy Hicks on behalf of Solent Airport, Daedalus to Charlie’s Beach Hut. We are humbled and grateful to everyone at the airport for organising such a lovely event and to all the generous local folk who supported it. This money will go a long way in making a huge difference. Thank you ⭐️

Portsmouth Rugby

May 18, 2022 |

So this lovely lot, after lockdown, missed playing rugby, being around friends and creating memories. They just wanted to share the enjoyment of going away to play rugby and create cherished memories. A team made up of lads from Crawley, Wales, Yorkshire, Wigan and Portsmouth make the side – all sharing a love for rugby. Organised by Dan Street, this weekend, this amazing lot chose to raise money for Charlie’s Beach Hut in order to help families make their own special memories too.
And that’s not all!!!!….. The team are playing against Rugby Against Cancer on the 4th June 2022 – if any of you are in the area please come down and make some noise with us. 😊 x
Thank you all ⭐️

HMS Queen Elizabeth Fundraising

Apr 22, 2021 |

What an absolute honour! This past year, the Warrant Officers’ and Senior Rates Mess onboard Her Majesty’s Flagship, HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH have been fundraising for Charlie’s Beach Hut. They have managed to raise a staggering £1,500 which is an incredible amount noting the COVID constraints they have been working against. Today, I was invited onboard to meet with Warrant Officer Clint Wheeler and Petty Officer Noddy Slade for a socially distanced, COVID safe cheque presentation. We cannot thank the President – Warrant Officer Cole and the entire Warrant Officers’ and Senior Rates Mess and all their supporters enough for choosing Charlie’s Beach Hut; your fundraising efforts will help so many families to ‘Find their Wonderful in Today’ when they most need it. Thank you so much.