During an assembly, Year 11 held up a message for HMS Illustrious, currently delivering aid to the people of the Philippines over the Christmas period, and David Lowery has sent us a letter of thanks back (read below), also outlining some of the important work that they have been doing out there…

To all the Staff and Pupils of Marden High School,

I’m just writing to thank you all for taking the time to produce such an amazing picture. It was extremely kind of you all and very much appreciated by all onboard. It has made it’s way right up to the Captain himself, Captain Mike Utley and he has expressed his gratitude personally to me and requested that I pass it on to you all. He is grateful and humbled by your efforts.

HMS Illustrious is currently part of Operation Patwin; the Government’s action to support the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. Prime Minister David Cameron has despatched HMS Illustrious to the region, where her Sea King, Lynx and Merlin helicopters will be able to move people and aid around the country until infrastructure can be repaired.

The carrier will also be able to provide humanitarian relief, including supplies of fresh food and water as well, medical support and engineering assistance. 

The United Kingdom has committed £50 million worth of aid, a team of medical experts, as well as sending HMS Illustrious and an RAF transport aircraft to assist the effort.

The crew of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS will now be deployed until mid January meaning that we shall be away from our family and friends over the festive period. Although, as we all appreciate, this is a small price to pay in return for helping the people of the Philippines piece their lives back together after such horrific events, we shall all still miss our loved ones dearly. Acts of kindness such as yours are vital for moral; and remind us that the people back home are thinking of us. So for that I am eternally grateful.

I have enclosed some photographs in order for you to see some of the work we are doing out here, and may I wish you all a very merry Christmas and an extremely prosperous New Year which will see the safe return of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and her crew.

Yours Sincerely

David