Big call for therapy from children of our Armed Forces

THEY are the unheard victims, the collateral damage of their parents’ decision to bravely face Britain’s threats.

- Marco Giannangeli

But now help is at hand for the military children so often forced to pay the price for Army, Navy and Air Force life.

More than 600 military children aged four to 17 are to have therapy sessions with specially trained clinicians made available, following the roll-out of a new scheme by the Little Troopers charity.

Those as young as five will benefit from one-to-one sessions, while teenagers will be able to access local group meetings with their peers.

The initiative – which is receiving National Lottery funding – is the brainchild of the charity’s founder Louise Fetigan, and was borne of her experiences trying to raise a daughter while she and her husband pursued Army careers.

“This has been a long time brewing,” said Louise. “My husband Tony and I joined the Army as teenagers and met while serving with 26 Regiment Royal Artillery in Kosovo.