MORE than 250 military children and their families came together for a special military camp in Pirbright organised by Forces charity Little Troopers.
Providing attendees the chance to reconnect with one another after periods of separation, as well as meet others who understand the unique challenges of military life, the action-packed annual camp offered activities including woodland cookery, survival techniques, a climbing wall and a party night.
Founder and operations manager at Little Troopers Louise Fetigan said: “It was so brilliant to see families from all of our Forces come together. The time apart from the family has many effects on both the children and their parents. This weekend brings them back together and helps to build special memories for them to treasure when they’re away.”
Becky Chappell-King, who attended the camp with her family, added: “This weekend was hugely important to us as a family as camp has fallen just a few weeks prior to my husband going away for five months, and this will be our youngest daughter’s first deployment experience.
“Until you’ve experienced first-hand how much heartache a deployment can bring to a child, you really cannot even begin to imagine how hard it is for the whole family. Many people work away from home, some for weeks or months at a time, but mostly you are able to have as much or little contact as you choose.
“Our four-year-old daughter won’t be able to send her daddy a letter or drawing as there’s no postal facility his end. The memories we’ve made as a family while at summer camp this year will be hers to treasure throughout her daddy’s deployment.”
To find out more about Little Troopers, visit littletroopers.net