My name is SSgt Claire Gloyne I am a serving soldier who has done 21 years service in the RLC. In 2016 i fell pregnant with my Son Harrison… I was quite scared, nervous and lost as all I knew was how to be a soldier and not a mother, I was a career girl who always volunteered for tours and going away and suddenly my whole world changed I was washing bottles and looking after someone other than myself. i had just been posted to a new Unit with no family or friends around me for support and my ex partner walked out on my son and I when he was just 3 months old, i was suffering post natal depression as well as dealing with a broken family for my son. My son was constantly in and out of hospital with chest infections so I was getting maybe 2 to 3 hours sleep a night doing it all on my own for Months on end. I was so exhausted but still fought on going to work and being a mom the best I knew how to be etc as this is how you are embedded within the army moral courage, values and standard

I was then sent an email asking if I would like a trip where Give us Time arrange it and it is paid for..I was offered dates to Centre Parks in longleat .since my Son arrived I have not been on any holidays as he was my main focus and not having the money as a single parent I just couldn’t afford to do what most parents can do with their children as I wasn’t getting child maintenance for many months so I was really struggling.  I have left my son alone for 1 night in his 2 and a half years so we both needed a break and this coming up was a god send for me. As soon as we drove into the park my son couldn’t stop saying wow and we were both smiling….it was the most amazing time we walked around the lake and up many hills surrounded by just nature and mini waterfalls it was just amazing and so peaceful….there were loads of activities to do so my son made an Xmas stocking and we went to pottery and painting on which he enjoyed, they have a pancake house where he loved his milkshakes….we then went swimming everyday as he absolutely loved it.  The accommodation was so clean and all you could see every morning were squirrels and surroundings of trees. Honestly to anyone who gets offered this opportunity to go away please grab it with both hands as it was the best first holiday my son and I had together. I have now made the decision to make it a yearly trip with my Son as that will be our happy place and have started saving already for next year.  and it would never have happened if it wasn’t for Give us Time and all the generous people who donate and support our soldiers so to you I personally thank you so very much. My son and I are so appreciative of this opportunity we were given and it will always be remembered as I took loads of memorable photos for my son to look back at.

Thank you to all of you who helped organise for my son and I to go my sister and her three children came with us and they were short on words how amazing it was.

Everyone has a story but this story is mine.