Wroxham FC host RAF men’s team in charity football match to help raise vital funds for bereaved Armed Forces children
RAF veteran Darren Plowman-Read is spearheading a charity football match between Wroxham Football Club and the RAF’s men’s team in a bid to raise vital funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity he has supported for many years.
Wroxham FC
Darren, aka, Daz, who is part of the Wroxham FC management team, will be marking the club’s 130th anniversary with the charity game, held on home turf, on 3rd March 2022. All proceeds from tickets will go to Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that offers integral support to children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Daz, who served in the RAF for 12 years, knows just how important Scotty’s is within the Armed Forces community and how essential their support is to bereaved Forces children and young people.
Daz said: “I got involved fundraising for Scotty’s about five years ago and since then any fundraising I take part in is always for Scotty’s. Living in Norfolk and serving in the RAF meant I’d heard about the fantastic work they do, so I’ve always made sure I support them in any way that I can, including having the charity logo on our training kit.”
To really put Scotty’s at the heart of the game, Wroxham FC have invited Scotty’s member, Jamie Small to represent the charity as the match mascot. Jamie’s dad, Corporal Christopher Small, took his own life in 2016 after serving 21 years in the Army. Jamie was just eight years old at the time and over the last two years the charity has been there to offer support and reassure him he’s not alone in his grief.
Jamie said: “I was shocked when I was asked to be a mascot as it's not something that happens every day. I'm extremely grateful to Scotty’s as they have done so much for me. The best part is meeting others that know how I really feel.”
Jamie and his dad, Chris
To further encourage spectators on the night, Daz has also arranged for three former Norwich footballers to join the game. Grant Holt, Simon Lappin and Adam Drury will all join the Wroxham FC squad bringing even more excitement to the game.
Daz said: “I’m expecting a good turn out, we normally get around 300 to 400 people attending Wroxham games and I’m hoping this attracts the same number of people as all proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to Scotty’s."
With it being a special game, fans can purchase either a physical ticket to watch the game or a virtual ticket, which goes directly to the charity. Tickets are available to buy online from £5.
Daz added: "We are really trying to engage with the whole Forces community around the world and no matter who they support, RAF, Navy or Army they can support the game and Scotty's by buying a virtual ticket using the ticket sales link also."
Daz also hopes to make the fixture a yearly event against the RAF team and will play for the Corporal Lee Scott cup, a trophy named after the inspiration behind Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
The charity was set up in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott. Nikki saw the devastating impact the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, in 2009 had on their two young children and wanted to help others in the same situation.
The charity is currently providing assistance to hundreds of bereaved British Forces children and young people around the UK and beyond. Services offered include guidance to parents and carers, access to professional child bereavement support, personal education and development (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.
Nikki said: “I’m honoured that Wroxham FC have chosen Scotty’s as their charity to benefit from this match and for naming the trophy after Lee. Daz has been a great Scotty’s supporter over the years, and by getting one of our members involved as a mascot really shows his commitment to the charity. Jamie has experienced so much at such a young age. I know that being asked to be a mascot will be a moment he’ll treasure. Every penny raised from the game will go a long in helping us continue to deliver a high level of support to children and young people, just like Jamie, at times when they need it the most."
