My aim is to run the full new forest marathon in 2018 and to raise as much money as I possibly can for scottys little soldiers.

Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting bereaved British Forces children and young people.

Inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, the charity honours husband Corporal Lee Scott’s memory – both as a loyal soldier and a loving father – and provides a practical yet personal way for the public at large to show their appreciation for those brave individuals who make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

Nikki and Lee have 2 children, Kai and Brooke, so Nikki saw first-hand the effect the loss of a loved one in these circumstances can have on a child. It was on a family holiday some 9 months after Lee was killed that Nikki saw her son Kai, 5 at the time, laugh and smile for the first time since his Dad’s death. She realised that there must be so many more children who had also lost a parent serving in the British Armed Forces but hadn’t had that opportunity to smile again.

She decided to set up the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers to do just that, to help their children smile.

The charity’s assistance is divided into 3 distinct programmes. ‘Smiles’ offers the children that opportunity to smile again through a wide range of fun activities and gifts. This includes holiday breaks, group events, special experiences and gifts at difficult times of the year.

The ‘Support’ programme aims to assist with the more emotional side of bereavement and includes access to professional counselling and a family support network.

Finally, the ‘Strides’ programme is designed to help with the charity’s beneficiaries’ personal development and includes a range of activity and educational grants.