Little Troopers has launched its 2022 Christmas Smiles campaign to support service children who have a parent deployed over the holiday season.
Louise Fetigan, founder of the charity, says: “We know it’s especially hard to have a parent deployed at this time of year. Once again, we have organised as many things as we can to bring a smile to the faces of military children this Christmas and I hope families book on to the events and get involved.”
Cinema screenings
There will be free cinema screenings of Arthur Christmas at ODEON cinemas in Andover, Leeds, Hereford, Chatham and Lincoln on 4 December. To be in with a chance of getting one of the 465 free tickets, you’ll need to sign up to the Little Troopers mailing list. Tickets will be released on 24 November.
Elf workshops
On 11 December, four online elf workshops will be run for small groups of children aged under ten. They can meet Elvin the elf who will spread some festive cheer by singing, dancing and playing games. Book at Little Troopers Christmas Smiles: Elf Workshops
Christmas bake-a-long
You’ll be sent a list of ingredients in advance and everyone is encouraged to bake together on 17 December.
Build-A-Bear teddies
The charity has also partnered with the Build-A-Bear Foundation for a third year to distribute 2,200 free teddy bears to military children who have a loved one deployed overseas this Christmas. The charity has already arranged to deliver bears to military units across the UK where service personnel are either already deployed or deploying imminently.
Little Troopers will also be posting out 200 bears to British Armed Forces children who have a parent deployed over Christmas. Details about how to apply will be released on 1 December and you must be signed up to the Little Troopers mailing list to receive the details.
For more information visit www.littletroopers.net