Little Trooper of the Month

Teddy Baker lives with his Mum and Dad in Odiham, Hampshire. His Dad serves in the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Technician. 2024 has been a challenging year for Teddy involving lots of trips to hospital whilst his Dad has been deployed with the military.

In February, Teddy was rushed to hospital straight from the airport after developing a condition while on holiday called Henoch-Schönlein purpura, causing him intense pain in his legs. Teddy has also started to experience focal seizures and night terrors this year, which have been very scary and disorientating. The seizures have meant more hospital tests and visits while the family await a diagnosis.

Amidst these challenges, Teddy also had to cope with his Dad being deployed abroad at the end of last year. While he made it home just in time for Christmas Day, he missed Teddy’s Christmas play at school and the uncertainty around his return day was unsettling for Teddy. The  family are now preparing for another deployment in 2025.

Teddy has been very anxious about his Dad being away with work and the family have been using supporting resources from Little Troopers, to help Teddy at home; creating a deployment wall with a countdown chart and using the charity’s affirmation cards. Teddy was one of 2,500 children to receive a special Christmas box from the charity last year, which were sent to children with parents serving away over the holidays. Teddy also accompanied Little Troopers on a trip to meet the Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital in London earlier this year.

Teddy’s Mum, Rachel, nominated him for the ‘Little Trooper of the Month’ award after such a difficult year. She comments: “Throughout all the testing, hospital visits and health scares this year, Teddy has been so brave and accepting. He doesn’t complain and even though he is scared or in pain and always has a smile at the end of the day.  We have a lot of unknowns about his seizures and it’s a lot to carry, especially with his Dad due to deploy again early next year, but Teddy is coping so well with it all. He’s also been helping out at his after school club, supporting other friends who are sad, hurt or upset. We are extremely proud of him and he is our special Little Trooper.”

Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, adds: “Having a parent deployed multiple times is challenging enough when you are a military child, but to be in and out of hospital, sandwiched between two long periods separated from a parent, is really tough. Teddy has shown resilience and bravery in the face of adversity and absolutely deserves our Little Trooper of the Month award. We hope it helps him to feel proud and to know that our charity is here to help him and other little troopers across our Armed Forces community.”

Teddy will receive a medal and £100 gift voucher from Little Troopers. 

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