A ROYAL Marine veteran from Christchurch is one of fifteen service leavers and veterans who have embarked on a new media career at the state-of-the-art Forces Media Academy.

Poppy Pawsey, who has just returned from the Invictus Games in Toronto, is now studying for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) Media Production course at the Buckinghamshire academy.

The Christchurch veteran served for twelve years in the Royal Marine Band as a violinist, saxophonist and vocalist.

Poppy had the honour of meeting the Duke of York, who opened the facility on Wednesday October 11.

“I didn't have a life plan, but thanks to the Forces Media course and the help of the Legion has enabled me to get my life back," Poppy said.

"The course so far has been mind-blowing and we have all bonded so well.

“The Duke was very interested in my military background and why I was discharged. He spoke from the heart and his speech and the launch really hit home what the course is all about. He was very personable and friendly.”

The Duke of York is Royal Patron of Services Sound & Vision Corporation - the group behind the new course.

While on a tour of the academy, the Duke said: “To provide a course like this, for either retiring or leaving veteran service personnel, is absolutely second-to-none.

"There are a number of media organisations in this country, who are looking for additional skills.

"They are looking for core skills of resilience, the ability to be able to deliver work unsupervised and to be able to get on with things in a way that the servicemen and women can do.”

The Forces Media Academy is providing ex-service personnel with the training, experience, and qualifications they need for future careers in videography, digital, TV or radio.

The students have been selected for their aptitude and passion for the media and come from a diverse range of services, ranks and backgrounds.

The academy is open to anyone who has served, whether in the regulars or as a reservist.

Personnel with an aptitude for and keen interest in media can now apply for the September 2018 intake if they are in their last year of service.