In December 2020, former Royal Marine
James McDonald was in a job he didn’t enjoy and was facing redundancy.

He decided to retrain and, using family savings and credits from the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS), enrolled on a locksmithing course.
“It was everything I expected. It gave me hope and I was able to channel all my frustration into something positive.”

James planned to open a locksmithing
business but wasn’t sure how. “I’d served for 16 years and am a typically proud Bootneck, so not great at asking for help. I spent
many sleepless nights worrying.

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I finally bit the bullet and contacted RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. Their Employment & Education team gave me a grant to buy the equipment. It was overwhelming. My wife burst into tears. They could never in that moment know how much this meant to me and my family.”

James is now successfully self-employed
alongside working for the college he attended.

“I now have a sense of purpose for the first time since leaving the Royal Marines. It’s hard asking for help but I would urge anybody struggling, to reach out. I will be
ever grateful for the help given by the Charity to me and my family.”