Scotty’s Council Member Will marches in memory of Dad
21-year-old Will Godwin is one of 10 Scotty’s Little Soldiers’ Council Members who are taking on Scotty’s March in memory of their military parent while raising funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers. Will’s father, Flt Lt David Godwin, served for 37 years in the RAF completing tours in Afghanistan, America and Europe. He died by suicide in 2017 when Will was 15.
75 Scotty’s supporters are set to take part in the fundraising event in Henley-on-Thames on September 23rd. Here, Will shares why it is so important for him to march for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity for bereaved military children and young people, and how the organisation has supported him since 2019.
Remembering my military parent
“My dad served 37 years in the RAF and completed tours in many places such as Afghanistan, America and Europe, unfortunately he died by suicide from untreated PTSD.”
How Scotty’s Little Soldiers has helped me
“Scotty’s has given me a chance to communicate with others similar to my age and offered plenty of support”.
What can Scotty Members find difficult following the death of a parent
Will finds it challenging “finding support during tough times.”
My favourite memories as Member of Scotty’s Little Soldiers
“Having the opportunity to help with and enjoy the Scotty’s Adventure Day!”
Will with Mark, Scotty's Child and Young Person Bereavement Support Worker
Why I’m part of The Scotty’s Council
“The role allows me to help develop the way young people interact with Scotty's, by helping set up various activities and giving insight into how young people would interact with them.”
>> SUPPORT WILL 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
“To help give something back to Scotty's as well as spending some time with other young people."
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
“By maintaining funding for the charity, it allows it to grow and reach out to more young people giving them the help they may need if they have lost a loved one during service.”
Scotty’s supports bereaved military children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent while serving, but also a death by any other cause.
Will and other Scotty Members at our Adventure Weekend
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.
