Wynter nominated for ‘monthly’ Little Troopers award
A five-year-old from Gosport has been given a medal by the military children’s charity Little Troopers for showing huge strength and resilience throughout her life while both of her parents serve in the Royal Navy.
Wynter Kilgour lives with her Mum (Ashleigh), Dad (Craig), sister Payton (13) and brother Bentley (11). Her parents have been deployed six times completing military operations overseas and these last approximately six months each; which mean the pair have served for a combined record of 39 years between them.
This means that the family have only been able to spend seventeen months all together in the last four years; which includes just four weeks being a family unit throughout the whole of 2023. One parent has missed three consecutive Christmas periods alongside Wynter’s first day at school and her third / fourth birthdays.
But Wynter never seems to be negative about these circumstances and is currently playing a key role within the family as her mum is away on deployment; this latest stint starting last month and it is hoped that she will be home for Christmas. Wynter’s father nominated her for the ‘Little Trooper of the Month Award’ for coping with so much separation whilst helping to keep everybody smiling every day.
He comments: “Wynter is our little rock. She always brightens our day with her cheeky persona, magical personality and she gives us the best cuddles if we are feeling down and missing whichever one of us is serving away. I’m amazed she understands what Mummy and Daddy do for a living and she never moans about it. All four of us agree that she’s such a little trooper and we nominated her for this award so she can know just how special she is.”
Wynter has received a medal alongside a £50 gift voucher and certificate from Little Troopers: Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting children who have parents serving in the British Armed Forces. Through its resources and initiatives, the charity connects with thousands of military children each year, as well as running special projects such as the Little Troopers All Together deployment club and Little Troopers at School programme.
Their founder, Louise Fetigan, commented: “Wynter’s story shows just how tough it can be to have both parents serving in the forces. Saying goodbye to Mum and Dad for long periods of time must be really difficult for Wynter and her siblings. As a charity, we think it’s important these children feel recognised and supported. Wynter is clearly such a resilient little girl but not all children cope as well. That’s why Little Troopers exists, to support any child who has a parent serving in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force. Wynter, we hope you wear your medal with pride and it helps you to see what an amazing little trooper you are.”
Readers can explore more information about the charity via their website www.littletroopers.net, which includes support available for youngsters both at school and at home.
PICTURED BY LITTLE TROOPERS: Wynter has been given a medal for her amazing support and family love offered through difficult times.