Inverurie boy awarded medal by military children’s charity
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An Inverurie youngster whose dad serves in the Royal Air Force has been awarded a medal by the military children’s charity Little Troopers.
George Martin (9) was named Little Trooper of the Month for coping with lots of change and upheaval at home in the last 12 months.
George was born in Shrewsbury and moved to Aberdeenshire with his mum, dad and family cat Maisie in 2021.
Due to the nature of George’s dad’s job, he regularly works away from home and has been deployed overseas more than 15 times, totalling almost two years since George was born, with each deployment lasting up to six months. He was last deployed in May.
George’s dad is currently serving away from home again, having to depart on his son's birthday for exercise in preparation for the whole family to move to California in October.
While the family are excited about their next adventure living overseas, George is also nervous about saying goodbye to his friends and football team and does not want to move away from his extended family.
He finds it difficult to express his emotions and at times struggles to find a way to communicate his feelings without becoming frustrated.
He loves to spend time with his dad playing FIFA and said: "My dad has got quite good at FIFA now.” He also plays the bagpipes and his father helps him read the music.
The youngster can become unsettled when his dad is away and like many children dislikes their routine being broken.
George’s mum Heather nominated him for the Little Troopers award and said: “George is an incredible little boy with a fantastic sense of humour.
"He has been through a lot in the last 12 months with his dad being away from home, missing our family holiday to fulfil ceremonial duties for the late Queen's funeral – although George was very proud to see his dad on TV – left for deployment multiple times and now a big house move on the horizon.
“He goes to a school where there are very few other military families, so his teachers and friends don’t fully understand the lifestyle or the challenges military children overcome each time a parent is deployed.
"Understandably George is now worried about losing contact with his friends, his football team and his family.
"We are trying to help him focus on the positives and the things we can look forward to as a family. We are trying to get George into a new football team in the USA.
“This award has come at the perfect time and it has really helped him to see how far he has come and how resilient he is.
"I am so very grateful to have been able to share such news with George when he was feeling a little down about missing his dad. He’s our little hero.”
George will receive a medal, certificate and £50 gift voucher as part of his Little Trooper of the Month award.
Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, said: “Lots of military children experience unique challenges such as having a parent deployed or moving home and it can be especially challenging when all of these things come at the same time.
"That’s why Little Troopers exists as a charity, to support military children during these times when they might need extra support.
"We hope George’s medal helps him to realise how proud his family are of him and that they recognise that what he’s gone through isn’t easy. George, we think you are an amazing little trooper.”
Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting children who have parents serving in the British Armed Forces.
The charity provides resources for use at home and in school, as well as running special projects such as the Little Troopers All Together deployment club and a new therapy programme, which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Visit www.littletroopers.net for more information.
