Bethan is marching to “give back to Scotty's”
This September, 21-year-old Bethan Coomber will be marching in memory of her father at the inaugural Scotty’s March, to raise funds for the charity that has supported her since his death. The Scotty’s Council Member will be marching to honour Warrant Officer Class 2 David Coomber who served in the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army until his death due to illness in 2011.
75 Scotty’s supporters are set to take part in the fundraising event in Henley-on-Thames on September 23rd. Here, Bethan shares why it is so important for her to march for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity for bereaved military children and young people, and how the organisation has supported her since 2013.
Bethan Coomber
Remembering my military parent
Bethan’s father, WO2 David Coomber served in the Army for 22 years, leaving home to join aged 16, and serving until his death at 38-years-old. During that time, the family were posted to Germany, where Bethan was born, and later Northern Ireland and Wales.
“My dad was a character, he had this big goofy smile, when I picture him, I picture his smile and how he made people laugh. How he would talk to anyone and was kind to everyone who he met. He did tours in Afghan, Iraq, and three tours in Northern Ireland. I remember when I was about 5 or 6-years-old and he was picked up to be taken on tour to Afghan.
Some of my favourite memories of my dad are from when we lived in Wales, we lived close to the beach, so on hot days we would go bodyboarding together. My dad used to put me on the board and as a big wave came he would push me so I could catch the wave. I fell off the board almost every time, I was a strong swimmer but he'd still pick me up with salt water in my mouth and eyes to save me. We'd swim a lot together and I used to ride on his back like a mermaid. When my dad knew he was dying he wrote small letters to both me and my brother, on one of the letters he wrote that 'he was most proud of me when I was swimming, and that I should keep doing it' the year after he died, I won 6 trophies, and won club championships. Later in life I became a qualified swim teacher. I know that I kept my love for the sport because I had his support from day one.”
Bethan and her father
How Scotty’s Little Soldiers has helped me
“Both me and my brother have been given numerous trips, cards, gifts and support. The biggest thing Scotty's have given me is the friendship with other members who understand how it feels. Who message me on difficult days, and we support each other when talking about our parent who has died. I'm very grateful that Scotty’s thinks of us on our father's death date and other difficult dates. As time moves on people around us can forget that it's still a difficult day regardless of how many years it's been since he's died. Scotty's never forgets and make us always feel supported.”
Beth and other Scotty Members holding memory candles
What can Scotty Members find difficult following the death of a parent
“I've always said that I find my birthday the hardest, especially my 18th and 21st birthdays, as these felt like big milestones in my life that my dad wasn't there to witness. I remember me and Dad would sometimes go to the Army base, or when he was pulling into the drive I would sit on his lap and steer while he did the pedals, he always told me he'd teach me to drive one day. I passed my driving test on my Dad's birthday. I found this a very difficult day as it felt he was still with me and supporting me, even though he couldn't be there to teach me himself.
I know I struggle on Father's Day a lot, but it's normally the day before Father's Day that I feel emotional. I know from speaking to other members they've said the day before is almost more difficult as you're in anticipation for the actual day.”
Beth behind the camera at Sky HQ
Why I’m part of The Scotty’s Council
“I'm so grateful that I was chosen to be on the Springboarder’s Council. Being in the council gives me the opportunity to support the members of Scotty’s, support other Springboarders who may have been bereaved as an adult and are only just starting their journey. I love being able to have input into some of the charity's decisions from a member's perspective. Being a council member means I'm involved in a lot of Scotty's events, which gives me time and a safe space to speak about dad and keep his memory alive when speaking with other members”
Scotty’s Council is a small group of Scotty’s beneficiaries who provide a voice for bereaved military children and young adults. The council is made up of 12 Scotty Members (aged 11 – 17) who form the Members Council, and 12 Springboarders (aged 18 – 25) who form the Springboard Council - together they form Scotty’s Council.
The council members meet up throughout the year to provide input into the charity, providing ideas and suggestions on the support they feel bereaved military young people will benefit from the most. Our members are the reason we do what we do, so their opinions are vitally important to how we guide the direction of the charity going forward.
Beth in front of the camera at Sky HQ
Why I'm taking on Scotty’s March
“I wanted to take part in the Scotty’s March to give back to Scotty's for all they've done for me over the past 12 years. It's also a great opportunity to see other members, we get along so well and it's rare we all get to see each other at the same time.”
Scotty’s March is Scotty’s Little Soldiers only in-person fundraising event of 2023. Participants can take on 10km, 25km or 50km and run, walk or jog the distance to raise funds to support bereaved military children and young people. Charity founder Nikki Scott will be taking part with Scotty’s Council Members, some Scotty Members and families of Scotty Members, and Scotty’s supporters.
Why it’s so important to raise funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers
“I'd like to use the opportunity to raise awareness of the charity to ensure they raise funds, so they are able to provide other members with what they've given to me and my brother over the years.”
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My favourite memories as Member of Scotty’s Little Soldiers
The Scotty’s Council members also represent Scotty’s externally. Members of the council attended a two-day event at Sky in April 23, where they were given media training to help give them skills and confidence to raise awareness of their charity through media platforms.
“The Sky event, the Sky staff were amazing! It was great to meet new members and tell our stories, I felt listened to the whole time and enjoyed the whole thing.”
Beth with other Scotty Members and the military police at our Adventure Day
About Scotty's Little Soldiers
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting military children and young people (0 to 25 years) who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, following the death of her husband Corporal Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009, the charity, which was set up in 2010, provides support and guidance to hundreds of bereaved military children and young people throughout their childhood.
Scotty’s currently supports over 600 members and services offered include access to child bereavement support, guidance to parents and carers, personal education and learning assistance (including grants), and fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events. These are all designed to remind the children and young people supported by Scotty’s that they are not alone.
