Here at Flux, we believe in supporting local charities, and when we heard about Nikki Scott’s dreams of providing holidays for the children of fallen soldiers we wanted to help.
So we donated £2,500 to her charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which Nikki set up a year ago this month following the death of her husband Lee, who was tragically killed by a roadside bomb in Helmand in July 2009
Our colleagues at Norwich-based Uninsured Loss Recovery chipped in another £1,000 to push the total raised to more than £70,000 of the £450,000 needed to buy, furnish and equip three holiday homes.
Nikki Scott with Brooke (left) and Kai (right), flanked by Simon Toop (left) and Sharon Nurse (right)
Corporal Lee Scott of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, who was born in Ely and grew up in King’s Lynn, was just 26 when he died.
To honour her husband, and the father of her two children, Kai, seven and Brooke, two, Nikki’s charity offers special days out and birthday and Christmas gifts for children who have lost a parent in the armed forces.
Buying the three holiday homes in different seaside resorts across the country would give families suffering with loss a revitalising break.
“I want to make Lee proud of me,” said Nikki, who lives in Walpole St Andrew, near Wisbech.
“I can hear him saying to me all the time: ‘Come on Nik, you can do it’. I hope that all the fallen heroes will look down and see the people helping their kids and be really proud.”
The charity has already put smiles on the faces of 24 children, ranging in age from one to 14, who have all received a backpack stuffed with goodies and are eligible for special days out.
“We sent two girls to see JLS and meet them backstage – it’s really nice to know that people care and the kids get treated so well,” she said.
“When we receive donations such as this one, personally – as a widow – it really touches me because I know the money will really help the children, helping us towards our holiday home target and in providing gifts and days out.
“More than 200 children have lost a parent in Afghanistan alone. I want Scotty’s Little Soldiers to be a positive charity; fun and bright and making the kids smile, because Lee was always playing with the kids and having fun with them.”
Simon Toop, claims manager at Adrian Flux, said: “No one can fail to be touched by the fact that Nikki has turned a terrible tragedy into something wonderfully positive which will touch hundreds of children’s lives. It is a privilege to help Nikki towards her goals.”
Sharon Nurse, operations director for ULR, added: “Through Nikki Scott’s heartbreaking tragedy she has been strong enough to create this amazing charity. We were delighted to have the opportunity to contribute and we wish Nikki and her team the very best of luck.”
Later this month, the charity will move into an office in King’s Lynn, and Nikki is looking for people to donate office equipment, including computers, printers and photocopiers. The charity is also keen to hear from volunteers willing to donate their time. Latest info can be found at facebook.com/scottyslittlesoldiers or Twitter @CorporalScotty.