My daddy is a soldier: Touching photographs capture special bond between little troopers and brave parents in uniform Beautiful images show members of the Armed Forces with their children Others show youngsters who are desperate for parents to return home Winning photograph features L/Cpl Kevin McCarthy and daughter Marni A series of moving photographs that reveal the unique relationship between soldiers and their children have been published in a fund-raising calendar. The images depict members of the Armed Forces bonding with their sons and daughters, as well as youngsters desperate for their parents to return home from fighting abroad. The picture chosen as the best shows Lance Corporal Kevin McCarthy cuddling his eight-day-old daughter Marni, who is dressed in a ballerina's tutu. Winner: This picture of L/Cpl Kevin McCarthy with his daughter Marni, just eight days old at the time, has won a competition run by charity My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures Emotion: The image for July shows one-day-old Jack Butlin with his father, who was about to go to Afghanistan Adorable: One-year-old Isabella Veringa, who lives in Germany, is featured on the August page My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures, a military charity, received thousands of photos when it ran a competition to be featured in the calendar. Louise Fetigan, the charity's co-founder and a former soldier, said: 'The gorgeous photo of Kevin and Marni was a clear winner because it encapsulates that special bond between a soldier and their child. 'We've had dozens of other photos that we couldn't leave out. 'From families as far as Germany and Cyprus, we have been inundated with entries and we can't wait for soldiers to see what photos have made it onto our calendar and Christmas cards.' Reunion: Scarlett Hughes, two, hugs her father as she sees him for the first time after his return from Afghanistan Cheeky: Leo Niblett dressed up in military face paint with a camouflage backpack Siblings: Ella, Aimee and Ethan Barton issuing a heartfelt appeal while their father was serving abroad Happy: Nieve Brignull laughs along with her father dressed in a military cap L/Cpl McCarthy, 29, serves in 1 Mercian Regiment, and was sent to Afghanistan shortly after his wife Stephanie gave birth to Marni last year. 'We were over the moon,' Mrs McCarthy said. 'I can't express how grateful I am that they picked my lovely family for the calendar, first place is beyond all expectations I had when I sent my picture to the competition My husband has served for 10 years and has been on five operational tours, once to Northern Ireland, twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. We were married before he joined so have muddled through together on these tours - or rather, apart. Stylish: Charlotte Whittaker, aged four, is featured on the front cover of the calendar Pointing: Harley Kincaid, in a 'Little Trooper' hoodie, sitting in the arms of his father Please come home: Lailah Pagdin, aged two and a half, cuddles up with pictures of her father Finally in September 2012 we were blessed with our beautiful daughter Marni, but with an impending tour of Afghanistan which has been one of the most emotional and heart-wrenching of them. Luckily we have great family and friends around us and the support of our welfare office and charities such as My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures. The calendar features a total of 13 images, one for each month and another on the front cover, while 17 more photographs are on the back cover. February's photograph shows two year-old Harley Kinciad being held by his father in combat uniform. Harley, two, wears his 'Little Trooper' hoodie with pride, in an image that won third place in the competition. Support: Four-year-old Aaron Taylor with his soldier father Greig apparently on his shoulders Crossing off the days: Xenia Daniel-Collings, four, with a calendar recording when her father will return Drawing: A picture by five-year-old Blake Bingham showing him talking on the phone with his father April's photo shows one-year-old Leo Niblett, one, of Leeming, North Yorkshire, getting up to mischief with his face covered in army warpaint. July's image shows Jack Butlin, just two days old when the picture was taken, saying goodbye to his father as he was deployed to Afghanistan. My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures supports children across the globe whose soldier parents are often away for long periods of time. Calendars and Christmas cards are available at www.mydaddyisasoldieradventures.org priced at £9.99 and £3.50, with all proceeds going to support Army families.