Little Trooper of the Month

Freddie Kendall

December 2024

Freddie Kendall lives with his Mum, Dad and his younger sister Gracie in Mansfield. He has been awarded ‘Little Trooper of the Month’ after coping with his Dad being away from home since October 2023 and missing Freddie start school for the first time in September.

Freddie is autistic and has a stammer, which means he’s found it particularly difficult, both mentally and physically, to adapt to life at school, especially without his Dad by his side.

Freddie has felt the absence of his Dad deeply over the last year, and has had many tough days where he has felt overwhelmed by his feelings. Freddie does speak to his Dad regularly via FaceTime but doesn’t interact much and struggles with the reality that his Dad won’t be coming home soon. While the family were reunited for one week in October, Freddie’s Dad won’t be home this Christmas and is not due to be permanently back in the UK until October 2025.

The family have been using resources from Little Troopers to help Freddie through deployment and recently received one of 2,500 ‘Christmas Smiles’ boxes, sent to children who have parents serving away this Christmas.

Freddie’s Mum, Alicia, comments: “Despite the challenges of having his daddy deployed and navigating the world through the lens of autism, Freddie continues to shine brightly. Even on the toughest days, Freddie never lets it dim his light. His heart is full of kindness and compassion and his love for his friends and his family always shines through. We are all so fortunate to witness the love, light, and joy he spreads wherever he goes. He is our special little trooper.”

Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, adds: “Starting school for the first time when your parent is deployed is hard enough for any child but Freddie has also faced additional challenges that have made this a particularly tough year for him and his family. We hope Freddie wears his Little Troopers medal with pride and I’m sure he can’t wait to show his Dad on his return.”

Freddie will receive a medal, voucher and gift certificate from Little Troopers for his award.

This month, our Little Trooper of the Month Award has been sponsored by technology group, Thales.

freddie

Freddie Kendall

Nominate a Trooper of the month!

We want to recognise Little Troopers; children with parents serving in the British Armed Forces who have been exceptionally brave, inspirational or just extra special against all odds. 

This is an opportunity to really celebrate and shine a spotlight on the lives of incredible military children, hear the special stories and give them the recognition they really deserve.

Our monthly winner will receive a special prize, certificate and lasting recognition of a customised, unique medal. We will also shout about how amazing our winners our on our website, social media and other related publications.

Nominations welcomed from Unit Welfare Offices, Community Development Workers, Schools/Nurseries and of course YOU!

If you are not the parent or guardian of the child you are nominating you must ask permission and advise them you are nominating. We will need to contact them directly to progress a nomination if successful.

Unsuccessful nominations will not be contacted.

Please upload a recent photograph we can use for certificate and hall of fame if they win:

Eligible children: ANY child with a parent or step parent currently serving with the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force; wherever they live, reserve or regular, parents married or unmarried. Children can only win once. Please only nominate one child per nomination. Children of any age can be nominated. Please ensure all the information you submit is true and correct stating if the child is a step child/has a different father or mother to serving person.