Ready, set, go: Three-year-old from Aldershot prepares for fundraising run
Max has already raised £540 for the charity — which is close to his heart.
Last updated 25th Apr 2024
A three-year-old from Aldershot whose Mum and Dad both serve in the British Armed Forces is preparing to run 1.5K this weekend to raise money for the military children’s charity, Little Troopers.
Max Merry will be one of many children taking part in a special event at Aldershot Military Stadium on Sunday 28th April to celebrate that April is the Month of the Military Child.
The event, which is open to the public, includes a 10K race, 1.5K family fun run and lots of fun activities for children of all ages including face-painting, crazy golf, circus tricks, balloon modelling, hair-braiding and more. Anyone interested in attending can register in advance or just turn-up on the day. Each child taking part in the fun run will receive a medal and certificate.
The fun-run is just £5 to enter but Max decided to use the opportunity to raise money for Little Troopers and support other military children like him across the country. Max has already reached £540 and hopes to hit his target of £750 before the end of the weekend.
Max’s Mum, Millie, explains: “Being a military child can be hard sometimes. Max’s Dad has been deployed four times in the last two years and Max and his brother have missed him enormously. We think charities like Little Troopers are really important and we’re proud to be able to support other military families who might be going through a similarly experience.”
Runners across Aldershot are also invited to turn-up on the day to take part in the closed-road 10K which is being led by Raceways Events. Entry into the 10K costs £25 per person or is free for those committed to raising £100 or more for the charity. The race starts at 09:30am. The family fun run will start at 11:15am.
Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, comments: “We’re looking forward to bringing the Aldershot community together in support of all the amazing little troopers in our British Armed Forces community. It’s going to be a really fun day. It doesn’t matter if you just want to run the 10K or if running isn’t your thing and you just want to come along to the family fun run and take part in the activities. Everyone is welcome and your support means a great deal to our small charity and to all the little troopers out there.”
Little Troopers is the only tri-service charity in the UK dedicated to supporting children who have parents currently serving in the British Armed Forces, both regular and reserve.