FOR Sharon Duffy, the Royal Marines are a cause very close to her heart.

Her grandfather, Ronald Winchcombe, served with the regiment during the D-Day landings in Normandy during the Second World War.

When he died aged 92 last year it prompted the Stadhampton mum-of-two to think what she could do for commandos serving in modern-day conflicts, as well as retired servicemen.

Mrs Duffy, who lives with husband Mark, 50, daughter Tia, nine, and son Luca, five, decided the best way she could help would be to raise as much money as possible for the regiment’s charity fund, which supports injured servicemen and their families, and the families of Royal Marines killed in action.

Now she is organising a black tie dinner for Saturday, October 1, at The Crazy Bear Hotel in Stadhampton, near Thame, which she hopes will raise £25,000 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

Mrs Duffy said: “When my grandfather died I started to find out more about his war record.

“His service in the Royal Marines shaped his life, and he was a proud, honourable and humble man who never sought any recognition for the part he played in the D-Day landings.

“Right up until the end of his life, he wore his RM blazer and tie to any family do with the deepest pride.

“He wears it now as he rests in peace as we as a family knew that he would have wished to.

“This event is a way of paying homage to him and all the Royal Marines who serve so bravely.”

Mrs Duffy added that she was hoping more than 200 people would pay £60 to attend the black tie dinner to help raise more than £25,000.

There will also be a charity auction and a raffle, with two holidays in Kenya as prizes.

Captain Mark Donaghey, 40, works at the Corps Secretariat, the Royal Marines regimental headquarters in Portsmouth, and is also treasurer of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

He visited the Crazy Bear on Tuesday to meet Mrs Duffy and hotel staff to plan the fundraiser.

Capt Donaghey has served in the Royal Marines for 21 years and has completed tours in Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

He added: “My last tour was in Helmand Province in Afghanistan in 2009.

“I have been shot at on a few occasions, but that comes with the job. I was also hit by shrapnel when I was with 42 Commando in 2003, in the initial assault on Iraq.

“We really welcome people with connections to the regiment setting up events like this because the fund helps bereaved families, injured servicemen and retired Royal Marines.

“The aftercare that the trust fund can provide if a son or nephew dies is very good indeed.”

The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund campaign was launched in October 2010 to support the fund and raise a total of £6m by 2014.

For further information about the ball, which will include a Thai banquet, contact Mrs Duffy on 07814 963192.