**Thanks to a very generous supporter on the first day of the campaign we have already exceeded 50% of our target. Thank you!**

Help the new Royal Marines Museum share the stories of its historic collections by joining with other supporters to Adopt an Object.

From 2019 to the opening of the new museum, we will offer the opportunity to put your name to some of the most interesting, informative and educational items in our collection.

First, we have an unique and stunning artefact, a Lewis machine gun purported to have been used by Sgt Norman Finch during the Raid on Zeebrugge, 1918 and is pictured above. Finch, a Portsmouth Royal Marine received the Victoria Cross by ballot.

On 22/23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, Sergeant Finch was second in command of the pom-poms and Lewis gun in the foretop of HMS Vindictive. At one period Vindictive was being hit every few seconds, but Sergeant Finch and the officer in command kept up a continuous fire, until two heavy shells made direct hits on the foretop killing or disabling everyone except Sergeant Finch who was, however, severely wounded. Nevertheless, he remained in his battered and exposed position, harassing the enemy on the Mole until the foretop received another direct hit, putting the remainder of the armament completely out of action. His award was by virtue of ballot.

In the case of a gallant and daring act being performed by a detachment in which all men are deemed equally brave and deserving of the Victoria Cross then a ballot is drawn.

The museum's collections are the living memorial to those who have served, charting battles and operations and the stories which bring them to life. The new museum will enable us to tell those stories more effectively and create a deeper understanding of the vital contribution of the Royal Marines to our society.

The collections depict the history of the Corps from 1664 to the present day through a unique collection of artefacts, pictures and documents. One of the most significant parts of the collection is the medal collection consisting of over 8,000 items including gallantry, campaign and foreign awards including an outstanding collection of Victoria Crosses.

There is no minimum donation but you can become a Senior Adopter of an object for £500. Senior Adopters will be invited to a special event ahead of the opening of the new museum. Recognition will be made of all donations over £120 within the new museum when it opens.

The new Royal Marines Museum, at the very heart of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, will place the 354-year history of the Royal Marines firmly within the story of the Royal Navy. For the first time the story of the Royal Marines a national story, but also a story with impact across the globe will be told in a building appropriate to its scale.

After clicking 'Donate', please enter the amount before continuing. Once you have made payment there will be an option to tick a box I'm happy to be contacted by NMRN to hear more about the impact of my donation, its appeals, events and other ways to donate, by email and post. If you do not click to accept further contact or send us your contact details we will be unable to send you your adopter acknowledgement. Please be assured that we will not send you further marketing materials unrelated to your adoption and you can opt out at any time.

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of adopting an object please e-mail fundraising@nmrn.org.uk.

All anonymous adopters must contact fundraising@nmrn.org.uk to receive their adoption pack as your contact details are not forwarded to us.

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