THE founder of military charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers has been honoured for her support for bereaved British Armed Forces children.
Nikki Scott, who set up the charity after her husband and father to her two children, Corporal Lee Scott, died in Afghanistan in 2009, received the Points of Light award from the Prime Minister in recognition of the more than 360 children of Army, Navy and RAF personnel the organisation reached with its ‘smiles’, ‘support’ and ‘strides’ programmes.
Norfolk-based Nikki has grown the charity to include an annual Scotty’s Day on 10 July, the anniversary of Lee’s death, to raise awareness and funds, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose Scotty’s as one of the causes people could donate towards to mark their wedding.
Nikki said: “Winning this award came as a huge surprise and I’m so incredibly honoured to have been chosen.
“After I lost Lee, I saw first-hand how it impacted my two young children. There was no support for them, so I set up Scotty’s initially to help children who had lost a parent in the British Armed Forces smile again. I soon realised there was much more which needed to be done for these children, who at such a young age had experienced so much. Scotty’s now provides members and families an integral support network where they can meet and talk with other families going through the same thing.
“I’m extremely passionate about what I do and the children we help, and I hope that being recognised for this award will help reach other bereaved Forces children who may not be aware that Scotty’s is there for them.”
In a personal letter to Nikki, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The positive impact Scotty’s Little Soldiers is having on the lives of bereaved British Forces children is a wonderful tribute to the memory of your husband Corporal Lee Scott. The support you are providing is giving families a lift when they need it most, helping children who have lost a parent to smile again.”
Nikki is the 942nd recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding individuals who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements. Nikki’s award from the Prime Minister coincided with Armed Forces Day in June.