Bereaved Forces family kick off with charity football match to mark 10 years since the death of their fallen hero
Army widow, Carla Palin and her two young children, Lennon and Ruby, from Plymouth, will be paying tribute to their fallen hero, husband and father, Corporal Mark Palin at the weekend, as they mark the 10th anniversary of his death with a charity football match.
Lennon and Ruby
The match, which has been organised by Mark’s friends and fellow comrades Tommy Turner, Dan Cartwright and Nick Howe, takes place on Saturday (3rd) at Millbay Park in Plymouth. As well as a way of remembering Mark, the football match will also help raise vital funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity which has provided both Lennon (11) and Ruby (9) with integral support over the last eight years.
Corporal Mark Palin died on 18th July 2011 and was serving in the 1st Rifles division in the Army at the time. He left behind his wife Carla, his son Lennon who was just 19 months old and his daughter Ruby who was born a few months after he died.
Corporal Mark Palin
The family have organised a number of football matches over the years as a way of paying tribute to Mark on the anniversary of his death. But given the significance of this year, Carla, Lennon and Ruby, along with Mark’s dad, Paul and Mark’s friends, decided to organise a much bigger event which also helps Scotty’s in the process.
The Corporal Mark Palin Memorial Football Match has been organised so that everyone who knew and loved Mark can get involved. Mark’s Army friends and family members will all be taking part in the match, Lennon will be playing in the All-Stars football team as part of a special junior match taking place ahead of the main game, and Ruby will be helping Carla by collecting donations.
Carla said: “I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since Mark was taken from us. Tommy, Nick and Dan have all been fantastic. They all served with Mark up until he died in 2011 and have always been incredibly supportive and keen to help me and the children keep Mark’s memory alive. It’s going to be a great day and I know Mark would have it loved it. It’s also a great way for both Lennon and Ruby to get involved and remember their dad, while also raising money for a charity that has been our rock for many years.”
Mark and Lennon
Both Lennon and Ruby have been supported by Scotty’s Little Soldiers since 2013 and have benefitted from the charity’s support programmes, including attending the annual Christmas parties, gifts and vouchers at poignant times of the year. They’ve also had the opportunity to go on a number of Scotty respite breaks to help create new happy memories as a family.
Carla first came across the charity after seeing Scotty’s founder, Nikki Scott, on the 2012 Millies, Sun Military Awards, and immediately got in touch. She said:
“When I saw Nikki at the awards ceremony on TV, I remember thinking, ‘she’s telling my story’. At the time I thought me and my children were the only ones going through what we were going through, so to hear that we weren’t alone and that there were other families out there who understood was a real comfort.”
Scotty’s was set up in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott and 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.
Scotty’s has been a big part of Lennon and Ruby’s lives for the last eight years, and the pair are always keen to help raise money. Carla added:
“We always want to do what we can for Scotty’s. Both Lennon and Ruby have helped raise funds for the charity before as it’s our way of giving back for the incredible support they have provided us over the years. The children love anything to do with Scotty’s, their faces light up every time they see a Scotty’s sticker come through the door, as it makes them feel remembered and also part of a special community.”
The charity is currently providing assistance to hundreds of bereaved Forces children and young people around the UK and services offered include guidance to parents and carers, access to professional child bereavement support, 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.
Nikki said:
“Thank you so much to Carla, Lennon, Ruby and Mark’s friends for choosing Scotty’s and for helping us raise vital funds to support children and young people, just like Lennon and Ruby, all over the country. A football match is such a great way to remember Mark, and something I know everyone will enjoy either playing or supporting from the side lines. The Forces community do so much for us, and I know they understand just how important our work is. Every penny raised will go a long way in helping us continue to deliver a high level of support to our members at times when they need it the most.”
