A two-year-old Chester boy will be Master August in a new calendar from the charity My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures.
Tyler Whotton’s mum sent in a photograph of Tyler and his dad Gareth to the charity after they asked what ‘Me and My Soldier’ means to serving families.
The photograph, of Tyler photographing Gareth on his parent’s wedding day, caught the eye of founder of the charity’s Little Trooper initiative.
Louise Fetigan, said “Growing up in an army family can be so hard, but also so rewarding. We received over 300 pictures, for our calendar, from families across the world. The photo of Tyler and his dad was taken on his parent’s wedding day. Special days like this are important to everyone but pictures like this help them smile while their soldier is away on deployment.”
The charity chose 13 pictures to have their own page in the calendar; Tyler and his dad will be featured in August. Mum Nikita Whotton, 29, said: “The picture was taken on mine and his dad’s wedding day in July at Morley Hayes Ilkeston. Tyler is waiting for mummy to walk down the aisle and took a picture of dad while they waited. I’m over the moon that our picture has been chosen; its nice when pictures of my family can make others smile as much as me and its all for such a good cause.”
Sergeant Gareth Whotton, 28, is based at The Dale barracks in Chester.
My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures supports the children (Little Troopers) of British soldiers, both full time and those serving with the Reserves. They aim to build a community where the children and parent at home can support each other, share their experiences and coping mechanisms for long tours.
The charity has also developed unique resources such as the separation pack; which includes monthly charts that the children use to count down until mummy or daddy is home again.
The 2016 Calendar costs £9.99 and can be purchased through the shop at www.MyDaddyisaSoldierAdventures.org
The charity has also produced a unique set of Christmas cards, beautifully illustrated with an army theme.
All the profits from these products will be used to expand the work of the charity to help support families from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as well.
