IMAGINATIONS ran wild at the cinema as armed forces families were treated to a free screening of a Christmas film.

Armed forces families in Colchester were given a free screening of family festive favourite The Polar Express thanks to some help from military children’s charity, Little Troopers.

Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting service children who have a parent, or parents, in the British Armed Forces.

Merville Barracks at Colchester Garrison is the home of 16 Air Assault Brigade, which includes the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the Parachute Regiment.

Members of 16 Air Assault Brigade were out in Afghanistan in August helping with Operation Pitting to get Afghans to safety after the Taliban took over.

The charity aims to help children as they face these unique challenges, such as periods of separation from their parents.

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As part of its Christmas smile campaign, the charity treated more than 100 people to a screening at the Odeon in Colchester.

Gazette: Familiy: The event was loved by families who may struggle during times away from their parent(s) in the armed forcesFamiliy: The event was loved by families who may struggle during times away from their parent(s) in the armed forces

Gazette: Snacks: Families made sure to stock up before the showingSnacks: Families made sure to stock up before the showing

Gazette: Popcorn: No one forgot their snacks before the film startedPopcorn: No one forgot their snacks before the film started

The founder of Little Troopers, Louise Fetigan, said: “Christmas Smiles is all about bringing smiles to military children, especially those who will have a parent deployed during the holidays.

“We know there are lots of military children in Colchester, so it was wonderful to be able to bring lots of these children together and get them excited for Christmas by watching a festive film.”

The cinema event is just one of many things that Little Troopers is doing to support military children this Christmas.

The charity has also partnered with Build-A-Bear Foundation to distribute 2,000 teddy bears to military families who are separated due to deployment.

The charity has also been giving away pantomime tickets, books and other prizes.

For more information on the military support charity, visit littletroopers.net.