Piping around the world for Navy’s charity

A piper from Poole has played a unique gig at Antarctica and is on track to complete her charity challenge, travelling 50,000 miles in 50 days across 7 continents, hoping to raise £50,000 for The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and Julia's House.

Irene Robinson (57), who works as a forensic nurse practitioner, started her challenge on January 10th with a performance onboard HMS Victory in Portsmouth, UK, and has so far played the bagpipes at iconic locations, including New York’s Radio City Music Hall, San Francisco’s Alcatraz, Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer Monument and now at Antarctica’s Paradise Bay and Neko Harbour.

Irene Robinson said: “With fair seas and following winds we tracked our way onto mainland Antarctica. Perfect weather conditions allowed a hike to one of the most beautiful protected spots on earth – Paradise Bay. Incredible, stunning, icy untamed landscape with magnificent glaciers and icebergs of all shapes and sizes. It was easy to feel at home with the abundant wildlife and in particular the funny penguins!"

She added: “Neko Harbour was a different piping experience with the sound of calving and mist around us – at that moment I was compelled to play ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and it will now always bring me back here. An emotional third continent for me as so much depended on everything going the right way but it was perfect. The Expedition Team led by Jonathan and my fellow passengers could not have been more supportive – I truly feel rejuvenated by their encouragement and ready for Auckland!”

Her fundraising quest to ‘conquer’ the seven continents continues and she is now due to play her next gig at Auckland’s Sky Tower, followed by Sydney’s Captain Cook’s Cruises, Johannesburg’s Regina Mundi Catholic Church, amongst others, finishing in London’s HMS Belfast on February 27th.

Commenting on the charities she is supporting, Irene said: “The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity make every mile count to support serving and former members and their families. I am proud to be a member of The Royal Navy Pipe Band Association and because of this, I see at first hand the brilliant work that they do.”

Se added: "Julia's House is a children's hospice caring for children with life-limiting illnesses from diagnosis to death and beyond for the whole family. As a nurse I understand the dedication and love that is the very soul of this charity."

Rebecca Saunders, Regional Fundraiser and Volunteers Advisor at The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, said: “Irene’s bagpiping challenge is brilliantly ambitious and, just like the Royal Navy, her efforts will be seen and talked about in all corners of the globe.”

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