Scotty’s March: Our biggest fundraising event of 2024
Join Scotty’s flagship fundraising event and take on the Chiltern 50, organised by Action Challenge. Walk and run through the beautiful English countryside with fellow fundraisers and even some of the bereaved military children we support, raising money for hundreds of children and young people who, just like them, have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
- Date: Saturday 28th September 2024
- Location: Henley-on-Thames
- Distance: 10km/25km/50km
- Apply by: 26th August 2024
- Registration Fee: £39 (10k) / £89 (25k) / £139 (50k)
What is Scotty’s March?
Scotty’s March is our biggest fundraising event of 2024 and a fresh challenge for our supporters to take on in aid of bereaved military children. With three distance options available and your choice of how you cover them, this challenge is great for all ages and abilities. Everyone can get involved!
How long is Scotty’s March?
There are three distance options available: 10km, 25km and 50km. Walk, jog or run – how you want to complete the challenge is up to you!
“I’m doing the 10k and I’m going to walk it, because I'm not the fittest, but it still shows my support! It’s an event anyone can do.”
Where is Scotty’s March?
Scotty’s March will start and finish at the base camp in Henley-On-Thames in Oxfordshire, close to the town of Reading and easily accessible from London. The march will take participants on an epic journey through the finest countryside England has to offer; a historic trail across beautiful nature reserves, through sprawling forests and over soaring hills. It's a route with real variety and guaranteed to be a day to remember.
When is Scotty’s March?
Scotty’s March will take place Saturday 28th September 2024. Applications are open until 26th August 2024.
What happens after the march?
After the march, once you’ve returned to the base camp at Henley-on-Thames, there will be a Saturday night celebration BBQ and entertainment, plus camping options. You’re welcome to stay and enjoy the festivities or go home once the march has ended – whatever you’d prefer!
“It’s a chance for everyone to get together and show our support for bereaved British Forces children and young people.”
Does it cost anything?
There is a small registration fee depending on your chosen distance:
- £39 (10k)
- £89 (25k)
- £139 (50k)
Do I receive anything?
You’ll be sent your very own Scotty’s t-shirt to wear with pride. Items will be sent closer to the event.
“You can walk, you can run, you can jog. You can do the long distance or you can do one of the shorter ones like me.”
How do I start a fundraiser?
We’ve created a step-by-step guide of everything you need to do here.
Don’t worry, setting up a Scotty’s March fundraiser is super simple and the whole process only takes a few minutes!
Fundraising tips
- Set a fundraising goal - Setting a target results in almost 50% more donations! Aim high – if you surpass your target, why not set yourself a new one?
- Share your page far and wide - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great places to promote your fundraiser and let family and friends know about the cause. Group chats and online forums can also be great ways to spread the word!
- Ask your employer if they have a matched giving policy - If your employer has a matched giving policy, you could double the money you raise overnight. Make sure to ask if there’s anything they can do to help.
- Think outside the box - Some of the most successful fundraisers are those which do something a little unexpected. Sometimes that can be as simple as wearing a fun costume or making the challenge that little bit more intense. If you’re a veteran, why not complete the walk with a weighted bergen to remind people of the cause? The more you stand out, the more you’re likely to raise.
- Keep your supporters up to date - Let everyone know how your fundraiser is doing and keep people up to date with any training you might be doing. If people see you're working hard to help bereaved military children, it could spur them on to support you.
Why support Scotty’s Little Soldiers?
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a 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.
Every penny you raise goes towards ensuring we can offer the very best support for bereaved British Forces children.
