Little troopers: Calendar captures emotional reunions

Heidi Curry, eight, was photographed awaiting the return of her father, warrant officer Paul Curry, on HMS Bulwark

Emotional farewells and reunions between children and their armed forces parents are captured in a fundraising calendar to support military families.

The Little Troopers charity hopes to raise money to support 120,000 children who have serving parents.

Founder Louise Fetigan said sharing the pictures was a "great privilege".

One photo shows eight-year-old Heidi Curry, from Derbyshire, holding a placard which reads: "We've waited 87 days for your hugs."

Her father, warrant officer Paul Curry, 40, serving with the Royal Navy, said it was a "special" picture - it followed his final deployment after 22 years service.

Lucy Smith was six when she met her father, Staff Sgt Martin Smith, off the plane on his return from Northern Iraq, three years ago

Romeo Cotton is the front cover star of the calendar

Jodie Cotton, mother of 16-month-old Romeo, said they were "over the moon" about being picked for the front cover of the calendar.

In their photograph her son is seen at an air show display.

His father, Luke Cotton, 28, is an avionics aircraft technician based at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

"Romeo was enjoying the air show displays and loved getting up close and personal with the aircraft on the ground and meeting the aircrew," Mrs Cotton said.

"He was smaller than the barriers, so kept attempting to climb aboard."

Lily Discombe, six, was waiting for the return of her stepfather Aaron Canwell, a weapons engineer on HMS Queen Elizabeth

Isabella Hallam, eight, had an emotional reunion with her mother Petty Officer Lindsey Hallam, who is serving at HMS Collingwood

October's photo shows three-year-old Kodi waving goodbye to his father Grant Black, who is serving with HMS Duncan, Portsmouth and had set off for a three-month deployment in June.

The toddler's mother, Felicia Black, said the photo showed an emotional time.

"Kodi was upset following the send-off," she said. "It [had] sunk in that he'd not see daddy for a while."

The Surrey-based charity's 2018 calendar is the sixth it has put together.

Ms Fetigan said: "The pictures show many of the emotions experienced by a military family and some very cute babies showing their pride for their mum or dad's work.

"We are lucky to share some very special moments with our beneficiary families through these images."

Kodi Black waved off his father, leading hand Grant Black, who he would not see for three months