Why Support Scotty's Little Soldiers?
So, you’re thinking about supporting Scotty’s Little Soldiers? Here’s everything you need to know – from what we do to how we do it, how you can support us, and the impact your support has on hundreds of bereaved military children who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
There are lots of great charities out there, so we understand it’s important that you know as much as possible before committing to one! This article explains why we think you should choose Scotty's Little Soldiers, the charity for bereaved military children.
What is Scotty's Little Soldiers?
Scotty's Little Soldiers is a charity inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, following the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, in Afghanistan in 2009. The charity was set up in 2010 and provides support and guidance to hundreds of bereaved military children and young people aged 0-25 years. Our services include 1:1 professional child bereavement support, guidance to parents and carers, exciting educational and personal development opportunities (including a number of fantastic grants,) and fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events to help bring bereaved military children together. These are all designed to remind the 600+ bereaved children and young people supported by Scotty’s that they are not alone.
Why Support Scotty's?
Supporting Scotty's Little Soldiers means making a profound difference in the lives of bereaved military children. By donating, taking on fundraising challenges and raising awareness, you can help ensure that these children have access to the support they need following the death of their parent.
Here are some quotes from members of Scotty's on the difference the charity makes:
"In my opinion, Scotty’s is the best charity out there and genuinely helps its members in any walk of life. Whether that is through birthday presents, holidays, support sessions or a Scotty grant. Scotty's covers it all which is such an incredible thing. Without this charity, it would leave a lot of children feeling lost."
"Because of my bereavement, I can now see that I have the strength to endure difficult situations and help other people in need. It’s my superpower, and without Scotty’s support I may not have realised it."
“One of my favourite things about Scotty’s is that you all understand what everyone is going through, so you can be there for them and they can be there for you. Everyone's in the same boat and we all know how difficult it is. It’s amazing to know you have all these people in your corner. Scotty’s means having people there for you even when you’re at your lowest.”
“It’s hard to put into words what Scotty’s means to me. It’s so special to have them in my life, without them I’d feel very alone. The Christmas parties every year are one of the best things about the charity, as I really enjoy getting together with other members, and just knowing that I’m among people who understand.”
How Can You Support Scotty's?
There are three great ways you can support Scotty's Little Soldiers:
Take Scotty’s Pledge
There’s one thing you can do to make a difference right now – and it’s completely FREE! Take the Scotty’s Pledge to support bereaved military children. Thousands have already registered their support for our mission, will you?
Donate
Donating to Scotty's is quick, simple and safe. You can choose to make a one-off donation or sign up to make regular monthly donations. Every penny counts and makes a real difference in the lives of the bereaved military children we support.
Fundraise
Fundraising for Scotty’s is an incredibly rewarding way to help bereaved military children. Testing yourself, having fun and raising awareness for a good cause all at the same time – what could be better? We love seeing our supporters take on all kinds of challenges, which is why we have our very own set of fundraising events for you to choose from, or you can come up with your own!
If this sounds like your kind of thing, we even have some tips to maximise your fundraising!
How Can Businesses Support Scotty’s?
By joining Scotty’s Business Heroes Club, businesses can help fulfil their corporate social responsibility by showing their dedication to supporting the military community, ensuring children and young people who have experienced the death of a military parent have access to dedicated support.
Scotty's Business Heroes Club is a network of businesses that share the values and vision of Scotty's Little Soldiers, the charity for bereaved military children. By signing up to the club, businesses can enjoy exclusive benefits such as:
- Recognition on Scotty's website and social media platforms
- Exclusive business events
- Opportunities to network with other like-minded businesses
- Invitations to special webinars and workshops
But more importantly, by joining Scotty's Business Heroes Club, you can make a real difference in the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
The Impact of Your Support
Your support will have a positive impact on the lives of bereaved military children. Here are some more quotes from members of Scotty's on the difference the charity makes:
"If I wasn’t part of Scotty’s, it would be very rare to meet someone with a similar background to me, but instead I've met so many different people who can all relate to each other. It really means a lot, because all those people understand your struggles and where you’re coming from, and everyone is so supportive. Having all that support has really helped me achieve what I’ve achieved.”
“I’ve been part of Scotty’s since I was four years old and was one of the first kids to join the charity. Being part of Scotty’s helps me feel confident because I’m with lots of other people who have experienced the same thing as me. It reminds me that I’m not alone and helps me remember my dad. It’s like having a second family. A family where everyone knows and understands what we’ve all been through.”
“When I think of Scotty’s, I feel excited and happy. Especially when I think about Scotty’s Christmas parties. My favourite was last year’s party as there was lots of different rooms and I got to try lots of different things. I danced with Ariel the mermaid and met Batman then had a rest because I had been running and dancing too much and felt funny.”
“Scotty’s is like having another friend to rely on. If you need a certain type of help, or you want to talk to someone outside of the family or who you don’t see every day, they’re always there. For me, I’ve also learnt a lot more about the Armed Forces since joining Scotty’s, which I find super interesting. Learning more about the military side of his life and acknowledging it is really important to us.”
The Future of Scotty's Little Soldiers
Scotty's Little Soldiers’ goal is to be supporting 1000+ bereaved military children and young people by 2030. We’re constantly evolving and expanding our services to meet the changing needs of our members. By choosing Scotty's, you’re helping to ensure we can continue to provide that vital support for many years to come.
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.
If you know a bereaved military child who could benefit from Scotty’s Little Soldiers support, visit our Get Support page for more information.
