Bereaved Military Children Have a Marvel-ous Time at Scotty's Christmas Party
Christmas can be a difficult time for bereaved military children, but Scotty’s annual Christmas party reminds them it’s still okay to smile. This year’s party was held over the 2nd and 3rd of December at Condover Hall in Shropshire, UK, and attended by over 100 bereaved military children and young people. The event is held in a different location every year and provides Scotty’s members with an opportunity to meet others in the same situation as them and remind them they aren’t alone in their grief.
“My favourite thing about the party was making new friends,” says Scotty Member Bradley. “Me and Lokie didn’t know each other before today.”
Lokie, also a Scotty Members, adds, “You get to go to the same place and talk to other kids about what’s happened to you as everyone here has been through the same thing. It’s happened to all of us.”
Scotty Members enjoying the Christmas party
Heroes and villains
The theme of this year’s Scotty Party was Heroes and Villains, and the children and young people were set a challenge after being briefed that villains were trying to ruin Christmas – they had stolen and locked up Father Christmas’s presents! The members of Scotty’s were tasked with saving Christmas by defeating the villains. The children worked with heroes to complete challenges to find secret codes and release their stolen gifts.
Scotty Members can relate to a lot of fictional superheroes – Spiderman, Batman and Superman were all bereaved. However, not all superheroes wear capes. The children and young people we support all have parents who are heroes, and our Members are heroes too. At the party, the children were given their very own capes to prove it.
Aside from having lots of fun, children also had the opportunity to remember their parent who had died by adding a special heart to Scotty’s message tree. The team from Scotty’s were also on hand to offer emotional support if it was needed.
"I think it’s fantastic,” says Vicky Bovington, mum of Scotty Members Elizabeth and Isabelle. “The themes are great and they keep changing every year. It’s always something new and different and the children love it. We’re 100% coming again next year.”
Scotty Members posing for a photo with the Mad Hatter
A special message from Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Their gifts weren’t the only surprise. Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex recorded a special Christmas video message for all our Members attending the party.
The video, in which Prince Harry is dressed as Spider-Man, comes less than a month after The Duke wrote our Members and Springboarders a letter showing his support for them at Remembrance.
12-year-old Scotty Member, Emily Reynolds, who was seven years old when her dad, Sergeant Antony Reynolds, died in 2018, said: “It’s cool that someone who’s been through the same experience as us is thinking about us. He’s not just someone who’s trying to be sympathetic, he actually knows what it’s like to grow up without your parent. My friends think it’s really cool that I get letters and messages from Prince Harry.”
Scotty Members watching Prince Harry
Scotty’s founder, Nikki:
“Christmas is such a special time, but we are very aware that it can be a difficult and emotional time of year for bereaved young people and their families. We have the party to remind our Members they aren’t alone but also to facilitate the opportunity for them to meet and forge friendships. We chose the Heroes and Villains theme based on suggestions from our Members and all the activities were designed to help increase their confidence, self-esteem and help promote their overall emotional wellbeing. It’s always incredible to see our Members get together, have fun and bond over their shared experiences.
“Of course, we were also lucky enough to kick the party off with a personal message from Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. It means so much to everyone at Scotty’s to have Prince Harry’s continued support. He knows what it’s like to grow up without a parent and understands there are certain times of the year that can be particularly challenging. I love the fact that Prince Harry not only recorded such a special message but also dressed up as Spiderman.”
Nikki with a group of Scotty Members
Thank you
Scotty’s Christmas Party wouldn’t be possible without a helping hand. We’d like to thank Veterans Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund, Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and ABF The Soldiers Charity for contributing towards the event, alongside Commando Joe’s for volunteering their time and expertise, Paul Tibbs Photography for capturing the event, CC1 Norfolk for providing first aid and Prince Harry for helping our children smile.
Scotty Members enjoying the snow
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.
If you know a child or young person who has experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, they could be eligible for specialist bereavement support from Scotty's Little Soldiers. Hundreds of bereaved military children aren’t getting the support they need but we are here to help.
A young Scotty Member at the Christmas Party
If you are the parent or carer of a bereaved military child or young person, click here.
If you work with bereaved children & young people, click here.
If you are a bereaved young person seeking support, click here.
Support Scotty's Little Soldiers' Family Programmes with a regular monthly donation
