A short true story on why I have chosen to support the forces children's trust

 

It's saturday afternoon and I'm on a busy train heading out of town. I've got a large kit bag with me so instead of dragging it through the aisle, i set up camp in between carriages. Presently I am joined by a mother with a push chair and her little girl. At her side is a shy, pretty little 4 year old with a chocolate covered face and chin. I smile at her but she hides behind her mother's legs allowing the pushchair to create a natural barrier between us. Im not surprised and so I nod to the mother instead and bid her good afternoon.

 

I look out of the window absent mindedly watching the houses as they slip by. Then something strange happens. I feel two little arms grab my leg and wrap themselves tightly around my thigh. I look down and it's the little girl. Somewhat startled I look at the mother who first roles her eyes and then noticing I'm slightly uncomfortable about having a grubby little child clinging onto me then apologises for her daughter's behaviour. There is something terribly imploring about her apology so i reluctantly explain that it's ok. the little girl then raises both arms to me. her mother apologises again but I've already begun to pick her up. I hoist her up onto my thigh and she immediately snuggles her head into my chest. I am surprised by how tightly she is gripping me with both hands. I am also taken aback by how desperate she seems to be for a hug, even if it's from a stranger.

 

Perhaps noticing my Help for Heroes wrist band and mistaking my moustache her mother asks me if I'm a soldier. I reply that I'm not.

 

And then her mother explains:

 

"Her father's a soldier. he's out in Afghanistan. Daisy's been doing this with every man she sees. All she wants is a cuddle, she misses him so much."

 

The words tumble out of her mouth, almost manic and totally at odds with the smile she fixes. her eyes tell a different story from the smile. there is something desperate about her explanation and the way Daisy is burrowing deeper into my jumper at the mention of Afghanistan and her Father.

 

I am dumbfounded. I just don't know what to say. i cant tell her that it will be ok and that Daisy 's dad will return unscathed. i don't know that. surely any words of comfort i offer will be shallow, almost insulting and so i just sit there mute with Daisy in my lap, head nestled against my chest, small hands gripping me.

 

we remain this way for the next hour till we reach their stop with Daisy clinging onto a shallow substitute of the only thing she really wants.

 

No four year old should have to want for anything as bad as Daisy wants her Dad.

 

That weekend i couldn't get Daisy out of my head. I couldn't shake that dreadful "what if" thought. "What if Daisy's dad doesn't come home". The gaping void that would be left in her tiny world would be monstrous.

 

As a nation, i believe we owe our armed services a great debt, a debt that in too many cases can never be repaid. I also believe we owe a debt to the families who support them who are left devastated by injury and for too many the loss of a loved one. I was 26 when my father was killed in a car crash. I was an adult yet his loss devastated me. To have lost him as a child when your parents are your entire world would have been truly unimaginable.

 

Through competing in the Ironman as part of TTS I am hoping to raise £500 for the Forces Children's Trust.

 

The Forces Children’s Trust is charity devoted to helping children whose father or mother has died, or has sustained life threatening injuries whilst serving as a member of the British Armed Forces. The FCT, by reason of its aims and size, has the flexibility and ability to make decisions and offer help as needed, with minimum fuss and consequent time-loss.