It has been a while since a blogpost, I always think they should come from the heart and my heart has been touched recently; over the months I meet so many families, wonderful people and adorable Little Troopers.....ALL special but sometimes a situation touches me and makes me even more determined to reach as many British Army families as possible.
Increasingly we get turned down for funding, people saying that our cause isn't t worthy or 'sensational' enough but I know that everyone who has leaned on the charity would disagree, its a needed charity, it's one of a kind and it is supporting thousands on very little income. The emails and comments we receive on a daily basis show Little Troopers DO face unique challenges due to their parents serving and they DO require support, resources and recognition especially when a soldier parent is away.
The world is changing, people live differently and everyones situation is individual yet support never seemed adaptable...people divorce, people choose not to marry, people choose to buy their own house, people choose to be unaccompanied, but one thing remains the common thread children have soldiers who serve in the British Army and they are sent away for varying times due to their job.
In the summer we ran an event in Colchester, a lovely lady attended with her two little boys and her story really struck a cord and I tell many people their story because it proves the point I am always trying to make;
They were mid twenties, had a house and two children....one day her partner decided he wanted to join the Army, a decision which she supported, 7 months later he had done training and was in Afghanistan, her life had been turned upside down in a matter of months, it was an alien environment to her, they hadn't managed to move into Army housing and lived miles away from her partners base, she felt isolated and her children needed slowly integrating into their new life. She sought out My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures and here she was at an event miles from home wanting to get support and be part of the My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures Community. I think that day she showed real bravery.
I have followed their journey and received a lovely email this week from the family thanking us for the support, the events, the separation packs they bought, the panto tickets they won....we have helped and eased the pain of the separation for those children and their mummy and given the soldier the knowledge his family was supported. We have achieved our main objective as a charity.
I know that this charity matters and families who make an impression make it worthwhile, all the people we connect with make it worthwhile. Everyone has their own story, their own situation but one thing is certain the community that is growing is supporting everyone with a soldier parent............regardless.
