A Summer Story for Our Youngest Naval Families 

This summer, some of our youngest Royal Navy children received a very special delivery to enjoy during the school holidays. 

Thanks to our joint working with Aggie’s, and as part of their 150th anniversary project, our Naval families with children aged three to eight received a copy of Race to the Sailors Rest, written by Adam Shackleton and beautifully illustrated by Jessica Dakin. 

The book follows Polly the Parrot and Hector the Dog, two best friends, on their adventure together. Copies were delivered directly to families over the summer holidays, giving children a new story to discover and enjoy at home. 

The project is another lovely example of how working together with organisations across the Naval community can bring something extra to the children and families we support. Aggie’s has a long history of supporting Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and their families, making the collaboration particularly special.  

Hannah Brooke, Head of Welfare & Empowering Families at Sailors’ Children’s Society, said: 

“We’re always looking for new ways to bring a little extra support and joy to the children we work with, so it was wonderful to be able to send this gorgeous book to our younger Naval families over the summer. Reading together can provide valuable time for children and parents to connect, particularly for families who may have experienced difficult circumstances. A huge thank you to Aggie’s for including our families in such a special project during their anniversary year.

We hope Polly and Hector have been keeping lots of our young readers entertained over the summer just like below!