Bereaved Military Children and Young People March in Honour of Their Fallen Heroes
A group of bereaved military young people are preparing to walk and run up to 50km together in honour of their fallen heroes while raising money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity that supports them.
The event, Scotty's March, takes place in Henley-on-Thames on Saturday the 23rd of September 2023, and aims to raise vital funds to help support children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
The young people taking part in Scotty’s March are members of ‘Scotty’s Council’, which is made up of a small group of our beneficiaries who act as the voice of bereaved military children and young adults. The council members meet up throughout the year to provide input into the charity, providing ideas and suggestions on the support they feel young people will benefit from the most.
Scotty member Alex, who will be taking part in Scotty's March
“I’ve always known Scotty’s are there if I need them."
Eighteen-year-old Joshua Kirkham from Shropshire, who has been supported by Scotty's Little Soldiers since 2014, is one member of Scotty’s Council and sees Scotty's March as an opportunity to give back to the charity that has been a pillar of support for him since the tragic loss of his father, LCpl Christopher Bradshaw, in a car accident in 2011. Josh says: "We want to help raise some money and support the charity that supports us. I'm part of the Scotty's Council, and a load of us have agreed to sign up and do it together as a team. Being part of Scotty’s helps me feel connected to a wide community of young people who are in the same situation as I am. It gives you this real-life sense that you’re not alone and that it’s okay to not completely understand some things about yourself or what happened to you. Scotty’s has really helped me realise that. There are so many people I can talk to and who can talk to me. It’s this community – a big family, really – that help each other out. We’ve all lost a parent and we’re all in the same boat, at the end of the day.”
Scotty member Josh on the set of Sky Sports
Another council member, 21-year-old Alex Thomas from West Sussex, whose father, Major David Michael Thomas, served in the REME before dying of cancer in 2006, echoes Josh's sentiments: "When I was younger, Scotty’s meant there was always something to look forward to, whether that’s holidays or gifts or the Christmas party. Now that I’m older, it’s more about having that helping hand and being able to comfortably step into the adult world. But one thing that’s always stayed the same is that emotional support Scotty provides. Regardless of how old I am, I’ve always known Scotty’s are there if I need them.”
20-year-old Sam Ruddlesdin from King’s Lynn, whose hero SAC Richard Hannis died while serving in 2009, is another council member who will be participating in the march. Sam says: “I’m really looking forward to getting back together with the other members of Scotty’s Council and raising some awareness for Scotty’s. It’s an important cause and I like to know that I'm helping."
Alex in his red Scotty hoodie
“It’ll feel like a proper personal achievement.”
Scotty's March offers participants the choice of covering distances of 10km, 25km, or 50km, with the freedom to walk, run, or choose any other method to complete the distance. This inclusive approach encourages people of all ages and fitness levels to participate, joining Scotty’s very own members as they raise money in support of bereaved military children.
Despite recently breaking his ankle while playing football, Alex is still looking forward to getting involved and sees the march as a chance to celebrate his recovery. “I’m planning to get a bit of practise in on the treadmill, going through different intensities, so that when the march rolls around my body will have readjusted a little bit. I think it will also feel like a bit of a milestone for me, being able to recover from this ankle injury and then do a 10K walk. It’ll feel like a proper personal achievement.”
For Josh, taking on an endurance event like Scotty’s March reminds him of his dad, who enjoyed going on regular long-distance runs.
“Mum told me how Dad always used to call himself ‘fit for a fat man’ and we still have all his marathon medals. Because of that, I did cross country in school and always used to volunteer to run during competitions. It was nothing compared to the distances he used to go, but I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to getting stuck back in.”
Alex, Josh and Sam chatting together
“I’m excited to catch up with everyone.”
What all three are most looking forward to, however, is the chance to see their friends from Scotty’s Council again and strengthen their bond with other young people who understand what it’s like to experience the death of a military parent. As well as Alex, Sam and Josh, other members of Scotty’s Council taking part include 12-year-old Emily, 14-year-old Brooke, 14-year-old Benjamin and 21-year-old Bethan.
Alex says: “The main thing I’m looking forward to is seeing the council again and catching up with everyone.”
Sam says: “It’s always nice to have people around who get you, and being part of the council also lets me see what’s going on inside Scotty’s. I’m excited to catch up with everyone.”
Josh says: “Scotty’s March is the next time I'll probably get to see everybody from the Scotty’s Council again, which I’m really looking forward to. We all keep in contact, but it’ll be good to meet up with everyone in person.”
Sam getting camera-ready
Scotty’s founder, Nikki:
"Every single young person on the Council has experienced the death of a parent who served in the Armed Forces, and they know better than anyone the deep, long-lasting impact that can have. They really are an incredible team of young people, and I can't wait to join them on the march. Roll on September!"
Nikki and the Scotty's Council on the set of Sky News
Supporting bereaved military children
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a tri-service charity dedicated to supporting 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.
Services offered to Scotty’s members 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.
Donate to the Scotty Council’s fundraiser
(Applications close on the 19th of August)
