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Alright Royals, listen up because I've got this cracking story about an iconic Royal Marines statue that's been saved from the brink, all thanks to generous folks chipping in. You know the one – the Yomper, that massive bronze figure of a Marine striding forward like he's on a mission.

It's 18 feet tall, standing proud outside the old Royal Marines Museum at Eastney barracks in Portsmouth, looking out over the Solent. Been there since 1992, sculpted by Philip Jackson, and it's based on a real photo of Corporal Peter Robinson from 45 Commando during the Falklands conflict in '82.

It's basically the entrance to the Royal Marines Memorial Garden, a key spot for veterans, families, and anyone paying respects.

But after more than three decades of getting hammered by salty winds, heavy rain, and blazing sun, it's started falling apart with this thing called "bronze disease." It's a type of corrosion where sea salt chlorides react with the metal in damp air, leading to pitting, flaking, and serious damage if you ignore it.

So, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and some Royal Marines veteran volunteers launched this urgent fundraising drive to rescue it and keep the Union Jack waving. They aimed for £9,000 to cover five years of essential work, but everyone stepped up and raised over £20,000 – doubling what they needed, so now it's protected for the next decade.

The museum's CEO, Matthew Sheldon, put it like this – I'll give you the gist: "You lot have locked in the Yomper's future, and I'm massively grateful. This ties into our bigger efforts to share the Royal Marines' history, like opening the new Royal Marines Experience next summer in the upgraded Boathouse 6.

The way support poured in from Portsmouth and all over the country really shows how much people care about backing the Marines."

With that cash, the experts can now dive in with specialist treatments to stop the corrosion, steady the surface, and shield it for years to come, ensuring future generations get to see it in all its glory.

It's a solid reminder that these monuments are more than just metal – they're symbols of real grit and history. Hats off to everyone who donated; you've kept a legend standing strong.