As the festive season unfolds, the absence of parents serving overseas in the military becomes a poignant reality for thousands of children across the UK. This Christmas, Little Troopers, a dedicated charity, has extended its heartwarming gesture to children in Oxfordshire, delivering Christmas boxes to bring cheer to those whose parents can’t be home for the holidays.
The initiative is part of the larger Christmas Smiles campaign, a concerted effort to brighten the holidays for children navigating the festive season without one of their parents. The joyous moments of school nativities, carol services, family gatherings, and the magic of Christmas morning will be experienced with a tinge of longing by families separated due to overseas military service.
Little Troopers collaborated closely with RAF Brize Norton, RAF Benson, and seven Regiment RLC in Abingdon to ensure that the Christmas boxes reached the families in greatest need. The community development officer at RAF Brize Norton expressed gratitude, saying, “A significant thank you to the wonderful Little Troopers for always going above and beyond to support children of military personnel.”
The charity’s resources are an integral addition to deployment packs throughout the year at RAF Brize Norton. The officer acknowledges the challenges faced by children during deployments, stating, “Deployments take their toll on children big and small, and the festive period is a particularly challenging time to be missing a parent whilst they’re doing important work across the globe.”
The founder of Little Troopers shared insights into the Christmas Smiles campaign, stating, “Christmas Smiles is a campaign we’ve been running for years to support children who have a parent deployed over Christmas.” She emphasized the difficulty of being separated from a parent during the festive season and expressed the charity’s commitment to making these children feel special and supported. “We’re excited to be putting together our own Christmas boxes this year, and we hope they make a real difference to military children in Oxfordshire,” she added.
The funding for the Christmas Smiles boxes came from the Veterans’ Foundation, Pinnacle Service Families, RUK Advanced Systems, and Day One People. The CEO of the Veterans’ Foundation expressed delight in supporting the initiative, stating, “We are pleased to support this fabulous initiative that will bring smiles and happiness to military children this Christmas.”
JDT Utilities played a crucial role in ensuring the transportation of the Christmas boxes, contributing to the success of Little Troopers’ heartwarming endeavor.
In addition to the Christmas boxes, Little Troopers organized various activities as part of the Christmas Smiles campaign. Free cinema screenings, an online party, and a Christmas baking event were among the thoughtful initiatives designed to provide additional moments of joy and connection for these resilient children.
As the Little Troopers team strives to make a positive impact on the lives of military families in Oxfordshire, the Christmas Smiles campaign serves as a beacon of hope during a season that can be particularly challenging for those with loved ones serving abroad. Through collaboration, community support, and genuine compassion, Little Troopers continues to make a difference in the lives of these young ones, ensuring that the spirit of Christmas reaches every corner of their hearts, even in the absence of a parent.
