ALISON HAMMOND HOSTS SPECIAL QUIZ FOR BEREAVED FORCES CHILDREN
A virtual quiz organised by charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers brings smiles to the faces of kids who have lost a parent who served in the Armed Forces.
National bereaved British Forces children’s charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, organised a virtual quiz to bring its members together and put smiles on their faces at this difficult time, and Alison Hammond was the perfect host.
There was laugher all round for the 83 children that took part in the quiz via Zoom, as Alison, best known for presenting on ITV’s This Morning, read out questions in her unique style, making jokes and putting the kids at ease.
Each of these children have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces and therefore already face a number of challenges as a consequence of losing a parent. The current situation caused by Coronavirus is particularly challenging for them and many are struggling with anxiety and other issues, but this special quiz organised by Scotty’s Little Soldiers was the perfect way to remind the children they aren’t alone, they are part of a community and despite being in lockdown, they can still have a great time.
Immediately after the quiz, a mum of one of the Scotty’s Little Soldiers members, said: "Thank you so much for the virtual quiz, you've made my day. It's the most I've seen Lucy laugh and smile this whole lockdown. As soon as Alison came on Lucy's whole demeanour changed. Proper family time and proper family fun. Honestly, I can't thank you all enough. Your Scotty magic has worked again."
Another parent commented: "When you need someone to be quiz master who better to ask than Alison Hammond... OMG serious giggles going on here this afternoon for the Scotty's little Soldiers virtual quiz."
There was also feedback from a mum who said, "Ohhhh that was hilarious! We loved the quiz. Alison was fantastic. To see my ‘too cool for school' teens sashaying round the living room to Abba and YMCA was just fabulous. Thank you.”
With another mum adding: "Absolutely brilliant fun, full of belly laughs. Alison was great fun. Thank you again for this awesome time.”
Founded in 2010, Scotty’s Little Soldiers was set up by war widow Nikki Scott after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in Afghanistan the previous year, leaving behind two young children. The charity currently supports almost 400 young people and 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 arranging events, providing respite breaks, posting them birthday and Christmas presents and remembering the anniversary of their parent’s death.
In recent weeks, 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, ensuring them that in uncertain times such as these they are not alone and giving them support when they need it most. Usually, at this time of year, Scotty’s would be arranging for the families, all grieving for a loved one, to go on respite breaks but sadly these things are not possible at present.
Commenting on the quiz, Scotty’s Little Soldiers Founder, Nikki Scott said: “We’ve all been buzzing since the quiz. A lot of the children are really struggling at the moment, so to see them all laughing and smiling was just incredible. Alison was such an amazing host. She’s such great fun, so bubbly and really lovely, so she instantly put the children at ease and they all had a fantastic time. We can’t thank Alison enough for taking the time to lend her support to Scotty’s Little Soldiers.”