Giving Days donates £7,000 to Scotty’s Little Soldiers to help bereaved military families “smile again”

We have recently supported local charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, by giving them a £7,000 grant to help them refurbish their lodge in Great Yarmouth, which is used by families the charity supports so they can enjoy a break by the sea.

Money went towards refurbing the lodge and work included fitting a new boiler, doing maintenance on the roof, putting in a new dishwasher, fridge freezer and installing new decking. It also included an external wash of the lodge, and having new carpets and radiators.  The work was completed to prevent any new issues arising and enable families supported by Scotty’s Little Soldiers to keep enjoying a break on the coast. The lodge that Giving Days has supported with a refurb was the first lodge Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity purchased when the charity was started.

Andy Sloan, head of fundraising and marketing at Scotty’s Little Soldiers said: “Giving Days have enabled Scotty’s to undertake additional renovations to our lodge in Great Yarmouth which keeps it super special and in service for more bereaved families to benefit from.  Scotty’s Little Soldiers story started with Nicki Scott seeing the benefits of a break for her and her children after the death of her husband Corporal Lee Scott, who served in Afghanistan in 2009. We are so grateful to Giving Days for helping bereaved military children to have the chance to smile again.”

A family who have been supported by Scotty’s Little Soldiers said – “A Scotty break has been just the thing my boys needed. It helped us spend time together as a family talking about our memories of when their daddy was alive, and it’s also helped us make some new ones too so thank you!”

Another family who are supported by Scotty’s Little Soldiers said: “Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to have an easily booked and ‘safe space’ holiday. It encouraged us to take time out and create new memories as we find our way again.”

Scotty’s Little Soldiers was founded after war widow Nikki Scott experienced the power of a break with her two children following the death of their dad, Lee Scott, who was killed in action while serving with the Royal Tank Regiment in Afghanistan in 2009. She saw her son smile for the first time since his dad died. The charity’s first goal was simple – to buy a lodge so other parents can take a break, help ease the effects of bereavement and enable their children the chance to smile. For newly bereaved military children, Scotty’s respite breaks are often the first time they have been away without their parent. This can lead to some complicated feelings and be an emotional situation for many young people, which is why a Scotty’s break can make such a positive difference.

If you’re interested in the support we can offer, please get in touch via https://givingdays.co.uk/contact/