Our Amazing runners
We want to celebrate our amazing runners, who have taken on a marathon challenge to raise funds for our charity. This weekend Sgt Aishlen Taylor and Gerhard Bailey, crossed the finish line of the London Marathonand another supporter Paul Watson recently crossed the finish line of his second ultra-marathon of the year!
Louise, founder of our charity said, “Our supporters are amazing and we are incredibly grateful to Aishlen, Gerhard and Paul for taking on Marathon challenges in support of our charity. It’s fantastic to see everyone getting behind our charity and helping raise awareness of the challenges faced by military children. The money raised will make a real difference to the families we support.”
Aishlen
Aishlen is one determined supporter who openly admits that running is not her thing. She took on the 26.2 mile run having had both her knees operated on (Sep 2024 & Jan 2025) and after the doctor telling her running a marathon would be unlikely.
When talking about why she chose to support our charity Aishlen said, “Military life isn’t for the weak, and the demands it puts on our little people is unforgiving at times. Our two children have benefitted from Little Troopers numerous times, providing activities such as; GoApe, residential activity weekends, visits to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and not forgetting Christmas boxes, deployment packs and more. This charity is essential to making things a little easier when a loved one is away.”
Aishlen is also supporting Salisbury District Hospital Stars Appeal. She has raised over £1,400, so far and you can still support her, click here.
Gerhard
Gerhard Bailey is Operations Manager at BM Caterers. The catering company has proudly selected Little Troopers as its chosen charity. Gerhard said, “There has never been a more important time than now to support Little Troopers. The work that they are doing is so important and needed. Louise did a talk about Little Troopers at one of our events and I was so inspired by how she started the charity and how the charity has grown to what it is now. I could not be prouder to run the London Marathon for Little Troopers.”
Gerhard has raised over £1,500 and you can still support him, click here.
Paul
Paul has signed up for something that’s going to push him to his limits. Five 50-mile ultramarathons over the year – as part of the GB Ultras 50 Mile Slam. In his words, “It’s going to hurt (a lot), but I’m doing it for a cause that means the world to me: Little Troopers, and specifically their Reconnection Programme.”
Talking about the charity Paul added “Little Troopers is a small UK charity with a huge heart. They support children whose parents serve in the British Armed Forces, whether regular or reserve. As someone who grew up as a military child, who’s also served, and who now works closely with military-connected children and young people, I’ve seen both the positives of service life and the quieter, harder bits that often go unnoticed.”
Paul is aiming to raise £5,000 to go towards our Reconnection programme, which brings families together to spend some quality before or after a deployment. Paul completed the second of his Ultra Marathons last week.
Please visit Paul’s Fundraising page, to add your support and cheer him on.
If you have been inspired to take on a fundraising challenge for our charity visit our fundraising page to get registered.
