A military charity has invited schools throughout the UKto build the largest ever paper battleship fleet to honour the 250 vessels that fought in the Battle of Jutland, as part of celebrations to mark the centenary of the greatest naval engagement of World War I.
On May 31, the centenary date, the principal charity of the Royal Navy, the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines Charity, is to hold a series of special Battle of Jutland Centenary commemorations, and schools are being invited to join the nation as part of the wider tributes, the Royal Navy said in a release today.
This initiative is part of this year's Red, White and Blue Day campaign, which will celebrate the centenary of the Battle of Jutland as well as the Battle of the Somme while raising vital funds for three service charities: the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), ABF, the Soldier's Charity and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
Chris Taylor, Communications Officer at the RNRMC said, "We're encouraging children to be creative and make whatever boat they like; perhaps painting them in red, white and blue, by naming their ships or by writing a message to those who sail in today's Royal Navy.
He added, "We think it's a really fun activity and would like as many people to get involved as possible. It is just a small way of paying tribute to the centenary of the Battle of Jutland and highlighting the pivotal role that was played by the Royal Navy".
The RNRMC is encouraging schools to send pictures of their paper ships flotillas by email, social media or by sending the paper ships by post to be featured as part of the wider commemorations.
There will be prizes given to the schools whose pupils show the most creativity, by building the most impressive boats or flotillas.
Prizes include a signed copy of 'Duel in the North Sea - HMS Ambuscade at Jutland', by Pat Avery, the grandson of a wireless operator who served at the Battle of Jutland.
