A military family from Exmouth is ‘on a high’ after reaching individual milestones and raising money for a community centre.

Royal Marine Mac McMaster, 47, of Withycombe, had his 37 years of service recognised when he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

His wife Samantha, 49, completed the Three Peaks Challenge, scaling 3,408 metres to raise money to build a community centre in Exeter Road, opposite the Royal Marines barracks in Lympstone.

Samantha, who climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon last weekend, took on the challenge with 14 military wives, Royal Marine girlfriends and friends. She said: “I think we are on a high as a family. I never thought I would do anything like this in my life. The challenge was much harder than I thought it would be. There were points I was not sure if I could do it.

“As a group, it turned 14 women who didn’t really know each other to an amazing group of friends.”

Mac, a Royal Marine civilian accreditation advisor, who was awarded the medal by Second Sea Lord Admiral Jonathan Woodcock aboard of HMS Victory, docked in Portsmouth, joined the military after being told stories about them from his uncle, Roy McMaster.

Mac said: “I have not got one single regret joining up as a 16-year-old boy. It is fantastic. It was a complete surprise to me when I was informed that I had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

“I was overwhelmed that my chain of command had thought that what I was doing was worthy of this recognition. To be recognised for your service is overwhelming and it is quite humbling really.

“The Royal Marines inspired me to become the man I am today. The support I have had from my wife and my family has been unwavering. They are a substantial foundation of support and inspiration.”

The total raised by Samantha’s Three Peaks Challenge is yet to be confirmed.

Visit justgiving.com/teams/RMCommunityCentreLympstone