Scotty member hosts charity fun day to raise mental health awareness
Jamie Small was just eight when his dad, Corporal Christopher Small, died by suicide after struggling to adapt to life after the Army. He was 44 years old, and had spent 21 of those years serving as a proud member of the Royal Logistic Corps. Now 14, Jamie wants to do everything he can to promote mental health awareness and raise money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers and other charities that helped him in the aftermath of his hero’s death.
Jamie with his dad
This year, he hosted Jamie’s Fun Day, a full day of great activities for all ages, ranging from charity football matches to inflatables, tombola, food stalls, a raffle and more.
“Mental health is so important because we can all suffer. Someone might be feeling absolutely amazing one minute, then the next they’re just feeling the worst they’ve ever felt,” says Jamie. “I’m did my charity fun day because I want to draw attention to the charities that have helped me over the years and give something back.”
“He wanted to say thank you to Scotty’s, SSAFA and Hidden Warriors for all their support since his dad took his own life in 2016,” adds his mum, Mandy. “Jamie came up with the idea when he was being bullied because of the way his dad died and realised lots of people need to be educated.”
Jamie tucking into some ice cream on a Scotty Break
The Fun Day was held on the 22nd of May at the Woodbridge Football Club in Suffolk. One of the day’s events was a special charity match between a group of veterans and some of the England Supporters Club. Jamie is a huge football fan and Liverpool supporter – something he shared with his dad – and being able to hold the event at their local club is very special to him.
“Football helps me feel connected to my dad and reminds me of the time we spent together. We always used to play together and watch Liverpool on the TV, screaming whenever someone scored.”
But football isn’t the only thing Jamie holds close to his heart. For the past 3 years, he has been supported by Scotty’s Little Soldiers and benefitted from services including respite breaks, gifts and ‘Thinking of You’ vouchers on the anniversary of his dad’s death, and our Scotty’s events and Christmas parties, where he’s been able to make friends with other children who have also experienced the death of a military parent.
Baby Jamie being held by his dad
Jamie explains: “Scotty’s is a place where I don’t have to hide my feelings – I can completely be myself because I know if I want to talk about my dad everyone there will get it. Going to those Christmas parties and other Scotty events, meeting people who have experienced similar things to me... it’s all really helpful. Being able to have those conversations with people who understand you, even it’s just a quick 5-minute chat, can really boost someone’s spirit. There are people who say “I know what you’re going through” when they don’t, but people from Scotty’s really do.”
By the end of the Fun Day, Jamie had raised a whopping £7500 for his three chosen charities!
“I’m very, very proud of him,” says Mandy, “and his dad would be too. He’s done an awful lot to raise awareness. At the age of 8 I had to tell him that his dad had died, but seeing him use his grief in a way that helps others is something lots of people could learn from.”
Jamie with more Scotty members at our Christmas party
Scotty’s Little Soldiers was set up in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott and offers integral support to children and young people aged 0-25 who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. Nikki saw the devastating impact the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, had on their two young children and wanted to help others in the same situation.
The charity aids hundreds of bereaved Forces children and young people around the UK, offering services such as guidance to parents and carers, access to child bereavement support, personal education and learning assistance (including grants) and fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events. These are all designed to remind those supported by Scotty’s that they are not alone.
Jamie at Scotty's HQ
Scotty’s founder, Nikki, says: “Jamie is an inspiring young man and it’s incredible to see how he has used his experiences to help and educate so many people. His Fun Day has raised an incredible amount, and hearing how he feels about Scotty’s and meeting other members highlights why what we’re doing is so important. I can’t wait to see what he does next!”
To donate to Jamie’s fundraiser, click here. If you’d like to attend the Fun Day, simply visit Woodbridge Football Club on the 22nd of May and pay at the gate.
If you know a child or young person who has experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, they could be eligible for specialist bereavement support from Scotty's Little Soldiers. Hundreds of bereaved military children aren’t getting the support they need but we are here to help.
- If you are the parent or carer of a bereaved military child or young person, click here.
- If you work with bereaved children & young people, click here.
- If you are a bereaved young person seeking support, click here.
