Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting all children with one or both parents serving in our British Armed Forces (regular or reserve). These children face unique daily challenges due to their parents career choice especially when they experience repeated separation of varying lengths of time from their serving parent(s) due to exercises and operations plus moving home and school frequently due to service requirements.
As a charity they ensure all Little Troopers have fundamental resources available to help ease and aid any separation period, it is important to them that support can be reached self-sufficiently from wherever military children are based, that initiatives are in existence to keep serving parent and child connected when miles separate and that there is a community celebrating how special all the Little Troopers out there really are!
IoSCM International work very closely with serving and former military personnel, reservists, and the wider military community to offer a range of support services. We are very proud to hold the ERS Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence for the support we offer to our troops. When we were presented with the opportunity to work with Little Troopers by sponsoring a Little Trooper of the month, we were delighted to get involved.
Meet Elivia Thomson, February’s Little Trooper.
Elivia Thomson, who’s Dad serves in the British Army, was named ‘Little Trooper of the Month’ after deciding to make up bags of coats, blankets, food, water, face masks and sanitiser and distribute them to homeless people across Liverpool. Her mum Sarah also nominated her for the award for helping her little sister, who has been missing her Dad, who works away from home in the week and has recently been deployed for six months overseas.
Elivia’s mum Sarah comments: “Elivia has made me so proud over the last few months. She has been especially kind to her sister – giving her cuddles and making her laugh when she is upset. She is also really helpful around the house and is always asking me what jobs she can do. But what made me nominate her for the award was when she decided to make up the support bags for the homeless. It was completely her own idea and I was amazed by how determined she was that this was something she wanted to do. She hates the thought of people being cold and hungry and just decided to take the initiative and do something about it. We’re so pleased that her kindness has been recognised and awarded by Little Troopers and it has come at the perfect time just as the girls’ Dad her gone away for six months.”
Elivia will receive a special medal, certificate and prize as part of her award.
Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, comments: “Reading Elivia’s nomination really warmed our hearts. It’s amazing to see such a young girl be so mature and kind to everyone around her, especially when her Dad has just been deployed overseas, which is always a challenging time for families. We’re glad to hear that Elivia is proud to be a Little Trooper and we hope she enjoys showing her Dad her very own medal.”
Congratulation on winning Little Trooper of the month, Elivia. We are sure everyone will join the IoSCM team in saying a massive Thank you for your hard-work and the kindness you have shown to others. Enjoy your well-deserved prize!