Eleven-year-old Indy from Newton Aycliffe has been awarded a medal by the children’s charity, Little Troopers, for being brave following a health scare while her Dad was serving away from home with the British Army.
Indy Johnston has been rushed to hospital three times this year due to severe sickness and dehydration. Unsure what was causing Indy to be so poorly, she underwent several blood tests and scans before being diagnosed with swollen lymph nodes and a congenital kidney condition that was causing Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome. On her latest hospital stay, Indy’s Dad, who serves with the British Army in the REME, was serving away from home on a military exercise and unable to be by her bedside.
Indy is now fully recovered and has not been poorly since the summer. Her Mum, Vicky, nominated her for the ‘Little Trooper of the Month’ award after showing remarkable resilience and bravery.
Vicky comments: “Indy has always been so resilient. Along with her three siblings, she’s grown up as a military child and moved home eight times in eleven years to various different Army postings across the UK, but she has always taken everything in her stride and seen life as an adventure. The last few months have been incredibly tough for her, especially because her Dad was away while we were in and out of hospital trying to get a diagnosis, but her courage and ability to stay positive in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.”
Indy will receive a medal and £100 gift voucher from Little Troopers.
Speaking of her award win, Indy says: “I am amazed I’ve won the Little Troopers Award and I will use my prize to treat my brothers and sisters to a day out at the cinema.”
Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, adds: “Growing up as a forces child can come with plenty of challenges on its own – as Indy has experienced, moving home eight times in eleven years. But to then face health worries on top of this and be in and out of hospital at a time when your serving parent is away, is really tough. Our Little Trooper of the Month Award scheme is all about recognising military children who’ve faced adversity and deserve to be recognised. We hope Indy wears her medal with pride.”
Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting children who have parents serving in the British Armed Forces. Through its resources and initiatives, the charity connects with thousands of military children each year, as well as running special projects such as the Little Troopers All Together deployment club and Little Troopers at School programme. The Little Trooper of the Month award scheme is sponsored by technology group, Thales.
For more information visit www.littletroopers.net