Young people helped by a West Norfolk charity played a key role in the annual Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph parade in London.
They were all members of Scotty’s Little Soldiers which supports children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Marching in yellow and black scarves to show their unity, they were joined by loved ones, Scotty’s founder Nikki Scott and patron Lance Corporal Richard Jones, who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2016/
Founded by war widow Nikki Scott, Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a national charity which provides support to hundreds of children across the UK who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. The charity was set up in memory of Nikki’s husband and father to her two children, Corporal Lee Scott, after he was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
Following the Remembrance Parade, the children visited the Tower of London. This was an opportunity to give the families a chance to reflect on their day, whilst enjoying one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
Talking about the Remembrance Parade, Nikki Scott said: “Remembrance is a really emotional time for myself and other bereaved Forces families, but to be able to honour our heroes at the national service of Remembrance was incredible. The fact we were all together meant so much to us. Scotty’s is a unique community where all the children understand what the others have been through and know the challenges that grief brings throughout life, so to stand side by side as we proudly marched was very special.
Nikki continued: “We wore the yellow and black scarves because they are the Scotty colours, the colours of my husband Lee’s regiment. They really made us stand out and afterwards, everywhere we went people were talking to us, paying their respects and asking about the charity. It was incredible.”
8-year-old Evie Hebden, who was the youngest Scotty member taking part, was there in honour of her Royal Marine dad, MNE Ralf Hebden who died in 2013 just before she was born. Talking about the day, Evie said: “It’s been very special and it was nice to be with my friends from Scotty’s and also make new friends.”
Evie’s mum, Sarah Hebden, added: “It’s been very emotional but I’m so glad we were able to share this special day with the rest of the Scotty family.”