Established 16 years ago, the Forces Children’s Trust (FCT) was the first British charity to specifically help children whose parent had died or sustained life-changing injuries whilst serving as a member of the armed forces.
It offers physical activity support to young people who have experienced a bereavement. From participating in expeditions and residential weeks away, children gain valuable life-skills to help them cope and adjust to life without a parent.
Those who access the charity benefit immensely from the services on offer, as one army family explains: “I’ve seen my children grow from feeling shy, introverted and nervous at school and not wanting to be different from ‘everyone with a daddy’ to being quietly confident and immensely proud of their father. This resilience and acceptance was learnt through their enduring friendships within the FCT.”
Another army family agrees: “FCT has been an important part of our lives for five years. Throughout this time my three children have always been under the caring wing of its founder Denny Wise and part of a very special family where there is a strong and important sense of belonging. My children have grown in self-confidence, this was very heartwarming to see after a very special trip to Nepal organised by the FCT.”
To find out more, visit forceschildrenstrust.org.uk