AN ARMY wife from Bovington who set up a charity to support forces’ children has been announced as a Tesco Mum of the Year winner.

The store giant has recognised the efforts of Louise Fetigan, 32, who founded My Daddy is a Solider Adventures to support children with parents serving in the British Army.

She will be presented with her Supportive Mum Award in a star-studded ceremony at London’s Savoy Hotel on Sunday, March 1.

Marking its 10th anniversary year, the awards celebrate 'ordinary mums who do extraordinary things for others’.

Louise’s story was selected from thousands of nominations sent in by people all over the UK.

British Army children – known in Louise’s charity as ‘Little Troopers’ – often face unique challenges, especially when a parent deploys for long periods of time.

When Louise’s husband Tony was serving abroad she discovered there was very little support for their daughter Madison, now 11, who was struggling to deal with her father being away.

Louise, a former solider herself, searched but couldn’t find the support she knew her daughter needed to distract her from the worry of her daddy being in a war zone. And so, Louise organised a successful fundraising event ‘My Daddy is a Soldier Trek 2011,’ and the charity was born.

Louise helps Little Troopers cope with the anxiety of having a parent away from the family home, by organising events and by supplying vital resources. Members also receive a ‘Separation Pack’ which helps to keep the child and soldier connected. To date My Daddy is a Solider Adventures has raised more than £100,000, all of which has gone to the Little Troopers.

Tesco is donating £5,000 to a charity of each winning mum’s choice.

Louise said: “We have our summer camp in June for the British Army children so the money will go towards this, and developing our Little Troopers Treasure initiative.”

Tesco Mum of the Year Manger Debbie Chernin said: “This unique charity, which helps children whose parents are in active service, is truly wonderful.”

Louise met Tony when she was serving in the Army as a military clerk.

After spending seven years based in Germany the family also spent time living in Aldershot and Windsor.

The family moved to Bovington when Tony was assigned to the county.