Patron Capital managing director Keith Breslauer has completed an 87.5 nautical mile (more than 100 miles) paddle across the English Channel alongside 19 serving and veteran Royal Marines to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Breslauer, who is vice patron of the RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, was the only civilian to participate in the crossing, which left the Royal Marines Yomper at Eastney, Portsmouth, on Monday.
The team paddled through the night in folding Klepper Kayaks and successful landed in Port-en-Bessin, Normandy, on Tuesday.
On arrival, the group embarked on a littoral paddle of the Allied landing beaches, beginning with the US sectors (Utah and Omaha) and culminating with the British and Canadian sectors (Gold, Juno and Sword) today (6 June), when the group joined the re-enactment of the landings at Sword Beach.
The aim of the crossing was to increase awareness of both the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the RMA’s vital work with veterans, with all funds raised by the paddle group being matched by Patron Capital.
Breslauer said: “This year’s anniversary of Operation Overlord is one of the last chances to commemorate a major anniversary of the largest opposed amphibious operation in human history with living veterans. To honour the 4,414 men who lost their lives on D-Day and the 73,000 men who lost their lives in the ensuing Battle for Normandy, I am privileged to be able to complete this crossing in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order to defend our freedom.
“This re-enactment is not only a way to remember and honour the heroes of June 1944 who turned the tide on the Nazi occupation of Europe, but by including veterans rehabilitated by Hasler Naval Service Recovery Centre, provides the opportunity for wounded, injured or sick servicemen on their rehabilitation journey to overcome an immense challenge. As vice patron of the RMA, I am immensely proud to continue to support the ex-servicemen and women who give so much for us.”
