Lauren watches FA Cup final with the Duke of Cambridge
Scotty Member Lauren, accompanied by her mother, Kelly Appleby, was given the opportunity to watch the Arsenal versus Chelsea Heads Up FA Cup Final alongside The Duke of Cambridge and other guests on Saturday 1st August 2020.
Based in Chicksands, Bedfordshire, Lauren and her twin sister Caitlin lost their father, Chris Appleby, to cancer in 2013, whilst he was serving as Staff Sergeant in the British Army. For the last six years, Scotty’s Little Soldiers has supported Lauren and Caitlin through some of the toughest times in their lives.
With a keen interest in football, just like her father, Scotty’s support has included paying Lauren’s football club training fees since 2015. Lauren now plays football to a high standard for MK Dons and has attended the Arsenal Women’s player development programme. Lauren is also due to attend a football tour to Barcelona with her school, financially supported by the charity.
Lauren’s mum, Kelly said: “Words can’t even come close to how much Saturday meant to Lauren. Lauren loves football and since her dad died it has given her something to focus on and it helps her to feel closer to him as he was a massive fan. The fact that Scotty’s has paid for Lauren’s football fees since 2015 has been a huge help and I honestly believe playing football has helped Lauren’s mental health. Thank you so much Scotty’s for such an amazing opportunity. Something Lauren will remember forever. Lauren is still on cloud nine.”
The opportunity for Lauren to talk to The Duke of Cambridge over the Heads Up FA Cup Final was enabled thanks to Scotty’s work supporting bereaved young people with their mental health. Heads Together, the mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation, and the FA, together created Heads Up – a season long campaign which aims to harness the power and influence of football to help more people feel comfortable and confident in reaching out for support and helping their friends if they need it.
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In a historic moment, this FA Cup Final was the first ever to be dedicated to changing the conversation on mental health. It was renamed the Heads Up FA Cup Final.
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. Scotty’s Little Soldiers provides continued support its members, including access to the very best health and wellbeing care, long term educational and life skills support, and the chance to smile again.
In recent months, the charity has also been providing a high volume of wellbeing support to families who are suffering from enhanced anxiety and other problems due to the current health crisis.
Bev Townsend, Head of Scotty’s Support Programme, said: “Unfortunately, many of the young people supported by Scotty’s face a series of personal challenges having sadly lost a parent. These can range from bereavement grief, PTSD, educational displacement, financial hardship and young carer responsibilities, and when you add additional anxieties which surround the current pandemic it can be especially challenging for them. That’s why we’re here to let them know they aren’t alone and to make sure they get the support they need when they need it.”
For Lauren, Scotty’s Little Soldiers has provided continued emotional, educational and developmental assistance, including connecting her to a network of support, providing family respite breaks, access to professional wellbeing counselling, special group events with other young people, thinking of you tokens at significant times of year, and direct personal development grants through the charity’s Strides programme.
Strides is one of four Family Programmes run by the charity to help young people who have suffered the loss of a parent who served with the British Armed Forces. Strides is the charity’s education and development Programme and currently has a strong focus on helping key age year groups with their transition between schools having been affected by the lockdown. Its Smiles Programme provides a range of fun activities which help to build confidence and engagement with families. The Support Programme was created to provide health and well-being assistance. The Springboard Programme is dedicated to young people aged 19-25 with the aim to assist with higher education, career guidance and life skills.
To donate to Scotty’s Little Soldiers click here, or to join our OVERWATCH community and help provide long term support to the children of our heroes click here.