Armed Forces father and daughter take on Captain Tom 100 Challenge to raise money for bereaved Armed Forces children
“I want to help the children feel happy”
Military father and daughter, Lee and Holly-Jade Hodgson, will be taking on the Captain Tom 100 Challenge next month, all to raise money to help support hundreds of children and young people across the country who have experienced the death of a parent in the Armed Forces.
Sergeant Lee Hodgson of 7 company Coldstream guards and his nine-year-old daughter, Holly-Jade, aim to run 100 laps of the Wellington Barracks Parade Square in London, as part of the Captain Tom 100 Challenge, and will be raising money for bereaved Armed Forces children’s charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers in the process.
The challenge, inspired by the late Captain Tom, has been set by the Captain Tom Foundation to mark what would have been his 101st birthday. The challenge takes place over the bank holiday weekend (30th April – 3rd May) designed to encourage everyone to raise money for charity by completing any activity that involves the number 100.
Given their military connection, Holly-Jade and Lee decided they wanted to complete the challenge in aid of Scotty’s Little Soldiers and raise as much money as possible for children and young people who have experienced the death of a military loved one.
The charity, which was set up in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott, offers integral support to children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the Armed Forces.
Nikki saw the devastating impact the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, in 2009 had on their two young children and wanted to help others in the same situation.
Holly-Jade said:
“I just think Scotty’s is amazing, what they do for children, whose mums or dads are no longer around, is so good. Scotty’s support them in so many ways, and I want to raise money to help the children feel happy.”
The pair who currently live on Wellington Barracks with mum Kirsty and sister Bailee, wanted to complete their 100 laps at Wellington Barracks Parade Square, a location famous for its Changing of the Guards ceremony.
Holly-Jade plans to run the whole 100 laps, with breaks after every 10 laps. Her dad, on the other hand, will be running in full combat uniform, while also carrying a weighted bergen.
Lee said:
“Holly-Jade has been the driving force behind this challenge. She saw it on social media and instantly said she wanted to do it. We currently live on Wellington Barracks, so completing the challenge on Wellington Barracks Parade Square seemed like an obvious choice.
“We decided to raise money for Scotty’s because of the incredible work it does within the military community. I first heard about the charity when I was posted to Catterick Garrison a few years ago. I know what a huge impact losing a loved one in the Forces has on the family, especially the children, so having a support network like Scotty’s there is invaluable.”
Holly-Jade and Lee plan to complete their 100 laps on Sunday 2nd May. The pair have already surpassed their fundraising target but are hoping more people will help them raise even more funds for such an important cause.
Anyone can take part in the Captain Tom 100 Challenge. You can choose any activity that involves the number 100 – from walking 100 steps or running 100 metres, scoring 100 goals, baking 100 cakes, climbing 100 stairs, hopping 100 laps of the garden, building 100 sandcastles, writing a 100-word poem, flipping 100 pancakes – anything at all, inside or outside.
Captain Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, said:
“We are so grateful for the incredible support we have received since my father started his record-breaking fundraising walk and that his message of hope was shared with the world. Captain Tom was very proud to be able to leave behind the growing legacy of his Foundation. We know he would love the idea of inviting everyone to get involved and share their Captain Tom 100 so that together we can ensure ‘Tomorrow will be a good day’. We look forward to celebrating with you on what would have been his 101st birthday weekend – it’s going to be fun!”
To raise money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers you simply dream up your Captain Tom 100 challenge, share on social media using #CaptainTom100 and tag Scotty’s Little Soldiers, then fundraise, or donate, where you can.
Nikki said:
“I can’t thank Holly-Jade and Lee enough for choosing to raise money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers. This is such a great challenge, in honour of a national military hero, Captain Tom. It’s a great way for people to get involved and raise money for charity while remembering his incredible achievements. The support from families within the military community means so much and the money raised will make a huge difference to children and young people across the country who will never again get to give their mum or dad a kiss goodnight. Holly-Jade and Lee’s fundraising efforts mean the world and I wish them the very best of luck.”