Brooke will march in memory of her hero, Corporal Lee Scott
14-year-old Brooke Scott is one of the youngest Scotty Council Members who will be marching this September in memory of her military parent. Brooke will be marching in honour of her dad, Corporal Lee Scott, who served in the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment until he was hit by an IED in Afghanistan in 2009. Brooke was 7 months old at the time. She will be raising funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity set up in memory of her father to support bereaved military children just like her. Brooke, and her brother, Kai, were the very first members of the charity when it was set up in 2010.
75 Scotty’s supporters are set to take part in the fundraising event in Henley-on-Thames on September 23rd. Here, Brooke 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 it launched.
Brooke holding a photo of her dad, Cpl Lee Scott
Remembering my military parent
“My dad, Cpl Lee Michael Scott served in the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. He died while on tour in Afghanistan in 2009 when I was 7 months old.”
How Scotty’s Little Soldiers has helped me
“Scotty’s has helped me to understand my grief and to find people who can relate to how I feel. It's helped me to find some coping mechanisms for my grief.”
What can Scotty Members find difficult following the death of a parent
“Challenges can include moving schools, birthdays, nighttime when you are alone with your thoughts, Christmas and key events.”
Baby Brooke and her dad, Corporal Lee Scott
Why I’m part of The Scotty’s Council
“I’m part of the Scotty’s Council to give the Scotty's team some new ideas about what a Scotty's Member needs.”
>> Support Brooke and the Scotty’s Council: DONATE HERE <<
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.
Why I'm taking on Scotty’s March
“I’m taking on Scotty’s March to raising money for Scotty’s while pushing myself physically. Also, to get to know other Scotty members.”
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.
Brooke in her red Scotty's top
Why it’s so important to raise funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers
“Without funding Scotty's can't operate and keep going. Also, funding shows me that the public still care and remember.”
>> Support Brooke and the Scotty’s Council: DONATE HERE <<
My favourite memories as Member of Scotty’s Little Soldiers
“Being able to go to Sky and learn about the media world and create a video on what Scotty's means to me.”
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.
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.
