RAF Benevolent Fund awards £8k to support bereaved British Forces children

The RAF Benevolent Fund has awarded a grant of £8,000 to Scotty's Little Soldiers, 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.

The charity provides assistance to hundreds of bereaved Forces children and young people around the UK and beyond. Services offered include guidance to parents and carers, access to child bereavement support; personal education and learning assistance; 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.

Peter Ashcroft, Head of Community Welfare Programmes, said: "Awarding grants to worthy charities such as Scotty's Little Soldiers, is an essential part of the partnership work the Fund does. Scotty's Little Soldiers offers vital support for bereaved military children and young people, and we're pleased we can contribute to the programmes they provide."

One of the hundreds of children supported by Scotty’s by Little Soldiers is seven-year-old George who was just three years old when his dad, RAF Flight Lieutenant Thomas Hendrie, died from cancer in 2018.

Talking about Scotty's, George's mum Emma, said: "No child should be put in the position Scotty's members are, but I am so happy we have Scotty’s in our lives. George and I know we are not alone and that others are experiencing the same thing we are. They are always on hand to help, advise or just listen. For George, he sees Scotty’s as Daddy's work friends and everything about the charity makes him happy and makes him feel special. They are now a big part of our lives and we’re so grateful for their support."

Nikki Scott, Founder of Scotty's Little Soldiers, said: "Thank you so much to the RAF Benevolent Fund for their generous grant and continued support. Our members have all been through so much in their young lives, and although we can never bring back their parent, we can make sure they know they aren't alone. We rely on funding to provide the support that bereaved Forces children and young people need, so this grant will make a huge difference to our members who have experienced the death of a parent who served with the RAF."