Me...Mum of the Year?!

On Sunday 1st March 2015 I stood on a stage at The Savoy in London and accepted an award for Tesco Supportive Mum of the Year 2015.

I was in a room of people celebrating women who have achieved great things, causes they are truly passionate about and it was a great place for me to be reiterating that children of soldiers don't always have it easy and there must be a support community for them.

I felt so honored to have people listen to the story of how My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures came  about and to see my Little Trooper, Madison on a big screen telling everyone how it has helped her made everything worth it.

"Children are so resilient though"

So many say this to me, they are little people with feelings and emotions and sometimes we need to be their holding hand and help them process those feelings when they are scared, frightened, worried or just missing their soldier and if I can be that holding hand and can ease that separation period with My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures then we are achieving what I want.

A visit to 10 Downing Street the day after the awards was also a fantastic opportunity, we met Nicky Morgan Secretary of State for Education. I wanted to speak with her about the Service pupil premium that schools receive as I feel passionately that schools need guidance on that...will keep you posted!

Tesco Mum of the Year has been amazing, new friends met and so many memories made but as always this isn't about me it is about raising awareness of the challenges British Army families face on a daily basis and highlighting why this support is needed.

Many tears were shed on Sunday at the awards ceremony and so many mummy's in one place all proving that women with a passion can achieve anything.

Thanks Tesco, its been a blast!

Louise xxx

p.s Blue was a bit of a highlight too!!

We Won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last 6 weeks or so have been a whirlwind since we got the call telling us we had been nominated and were in the running for the Support to the Armed Forces Award at the 2014 Sun Military Awards or 'Millies' as they are known.

It was a lovely experience doing some filming throughout November to create a 4 minute film showcasing the work of My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures and why we exist.

On 10th December 2014 I was invited to 10 Downing Street for a reception with all the other nominees, we had a police escort and three coaches of service personnel and others arrived at lunchtime. It was a great experience and so beautiful inside especially as the Christmas decorations were up!

 



On the evening of 10th December all nominees and guests were taken to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. It was so amazing to walk up the red carpet and the venue was awash with Royalty and celebrities everywhere you looked! After a champagne and canapé reception we were asked to take our seats.
Philip Schofield and Amanda Holden were presenting the evening which was amazing from start to finish, the third award to be announced was Support to the Armed Forces and as soon as they started the film I knew we had won as my daughter was on the huge screen! I cried my eyes out it was so overwhelming and then I had to walk up on stage!!!
Jeremy Clarkson and Mary Berry presented the award to me and they were so delightful and put me at ease before I had to say a few words...I don't even remember what I said now!!!
There were some surprises on stage but I will not spoil it before the show has aired.....you will have to watch on 18th December ITV at 8.30pm.

It was amazing for Little Troopers to get this recognition and I couldn't be prouder to be part of My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures. Don't forget to watch A Night of Heroes on ITV 18th December!