One of the hidden strengths of the Royal Naval Association is the loyalty of its members, especially to those down in their luck, as members of the Harare branch in Zimbabwe have discovered.

The quality of this caring attitude was brought home to them recently, on being informed that various sums of money had been credited to the Harare account with Headquarters, by RNA branches and individuals.

As a gesture of support, and a lifeline they were much in need of, it prompted a letter of appreciation from Shipmate Noreen Potter, the secretary of Harare branch, expressing the heartfelt gratitude of her fellow shipmates.

S/M Potter states that conditions in Zimbabwe are not getting any better.

With the country crippled by a devalued currency, the daily struggle is to find sufficient food and fuel to keep alive, the cost of which keeps rising.

Some members of the branch, she says, have given up the struggle and fled overseas.

Those who remain, while having to do without the basic necessities, remain resolute in the belief, she says, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Even the small pleasure they got from their meetings in the “Moth Club”, the branch venue, can no longer be taken for granted.

The club was visited by “so-called war veterans”, who stole all they could, including flags and regalia.

In this climate of fear and shortages the support and generosity shown to the Harare branch by their fellow shipmates in the UK has meant a great deal.

On their behalf, S/M Potter thanks the Greenford branch for paying members’ RNA subs for 2004, for the lapel badges, blazer and ties recently received, and for helping to send the Harare newsletter to members who have fled the country, saving postage.

The gratitude of members of the Harare branch is also extended to the Norton Fitzwarren branch for agreeing to pay their RNA subs for 2005, and to Gosport, and Spennymoor and Ferryhill branches, and S/M Tony Morris of Sidcup, for the various sums of money credited to the Harare account with Headquarters.

Support has also arrived in the shape of S/M John Shepherd, of New South Wales in Australia, who sends regular donations, literature and photographs, among which was a framed portrait of Sir Winston Churchill, to keep their spirits up.