19-year-old Matheson takes on Scotty’s Hero Walk in dad’s memory
19-year-old, Matheson, takes on 5-mile Hero Walk in dad’s memory, while raising money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers
19-year-old, Matheson Harper-Titchener, from Ayr, in Scotland, will have his hero – his dad – at the very front of his mind this month, as he takes on a charity Hero Walk in his honour.
This Remembrance weekend (8th), Matheson, who lost his dad, Major Matthew Titchener, in 2003, will be completing a 5 mile walk in his dad’s memory while also raising money for national bereaved Armed Forces children’s charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers – the charity that has been there to support him throughout his childhood.
Matheson was just six years old when his dad was killed while on tour in Iraq. His sister, Angel, now 16, was born a few months after his death.
The pair joined Scotty’s Little Soldiers in August 2013 and have grown up with the charity by their side, providing them with integral support at some of the most difficult times of their lives.
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At 19, Matheson, who is currently studying at Glasgow University, is a member of Scotty’s Little Soldiers Springboard programme. The Springboard initiative was launched last year to extend the charity’s support to 19 – 25 years old focusing particularly on education and career development – an area of support Matheson finds incredibly valuable.
In completing his walk, Matheson has the opportunity to raise money for a cause that has done so much for him over the years, while also putting his dad at the heart of his efforts.
He said: “Scotty’s have been amazing! Thanks to them, I’ve had so many great experiences and met so many people who know what you’re going through. They’ve been there for me and Angel through everything. Through the Springboard programme, I’m still part of the Scotty’s community which means so much, it means I still have that connection and know that they are there if I need them.
“When I saw the Hero Walk, I thought it would be a great opportunity to help raise money at a time when charities are struggling.”
Organised by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, The Hero Walk is part of the charity’s ‘November to Remember’ campaign to thank those men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect our country, as well as helping to raise money to support the children they left behind.
The walk is five miles long and can be completed at any point through the month. As well as remembering our fallen heroes, this year’s walk can also be used as a way of thanking our keyworkers who have worked tirelessly to help us through the global pandemic.
Matheson’s Hero Walk will take place on Sunday 8th November taking in some of the coastal routes near to where he lives, while adhering to Government guidelines.
Scotty’s Little Soldiers was set up by Nikki Scott after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in Afghanistan the previous year, leaving behind two young children. The charity does lots of things to support its members, including providing access to the very best health and wellbeing care, offering outstanding development opportunities through a range of activity and educational grants, and Scotty’s helps put smiles back on those brave faces by organising events, providing respite breaks, posting them birthday and Christmas presents and remembering the anniversary of their parent’s death.
In recent months, the charity has had to adapt to the current climate and has been using modern technology and arranging exciting virtual events and activities to engage with its members as well as offering an increased level of emotional support to a great number of families who are struggling to cope with added pressures.
Nikki said: “Matheson has grown up with Scotty’s and I can’t thank him enough for helping raise money at this difficult time. Matheson knows only too well what it’s like to lose a parent at such a young age, he is an inspiration to our younger members. Through our Springboard programme, we’re determined to ensure that our older members get the support they need, as well as the young members, whether it’s in education, or in getting out in to the world of work, we never want a Scotty member to feel like they are doing this alone. Every penny Matheson raises will go a long way in providing integral support to children and young adults like him and his sister when they need it the most.”
To donate to Matheson’s Hero Walk visit:
https://givepenny.com/mathesonharper_titchener_hero_walk
Or to sign up for the Scotty’s Hero Walk visit: https://givepenny.com/event/hero-walk2020
And to find out more about Scotty’s Little Soldiers visit: http://scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/