Scotty’s Council Member Emily marches in memory of Dad
13-year-old Emily is the youngest of 10 Scotty’s Little Soldiers’ Council Members who are taking on Scotty’s March in memory of their military parent while raising funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers. Emily’s dad was Sergeant Antony Reynolds and served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). He served in the Army for 21 years completing multiple tours in Afghanistan, and others in Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. He died by suicide in 2018 when Emily was aged 7.
75 Scotty’s supporters are set to take part in the fundraising event in Henley-on-Thames on September 23rd. Here, Emily shares why it is so important for her to march for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity for bereaved military children and young people, and how the organisation has supported her since 2018.
Emily Reynolds
Remembering my military parent
“My dad was a sergeant in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). He had been in the Army for 21 years when he took his own life. My dad went to Afghanistan three times and Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and lots of other places. He fixed helicopters. My Dad liked running and I liked going for runs with him.”
How Scotty’s Little Soldiers has helped me
“Scotty's has given me a place where I can talk to other people like me. I have made lots of new friends who understand what it feels like to lose a parent. I enjoy spending time with my family on our Scotty's breaks. My favourite time is the Christmas Party when we can all meet up.”
What can Scotty Members find difficult following the death of a parent
“Talking about our parent that died can be difficult. Anniversaries and schools not understanding how we feel."
Emily's dad, Sgt Antony Reynolds
Why I’m part of The Scotty’s Council
“I see my role as a way of helping others and thinking of new ideas to help the charity and members. It makes me feel happy to be on the council because Scotty's always listens to what is important to us and I feel like we help others.”
>> SUPPORT EMILY AND THE SCOTTY'S COUNCIL - DONATE HERE <<
Scotty’s Council is a small group of Scotty’s beneficiaries who provide a voice for bereaved military children and young adults. The council is made up of 12 Scotty Members (aged 11 – 17) who form the Members Council, and 12 Springboarders (aged 18 – 25) who form the Springboard Council - together they form Scotty’s Council.
The council members meet up throughout the year to provide input into the charity, providing ideas and suggestions on the support they feel bereaved military young people will benefit from the most. Our members are the reason we do what we do, so their opinions are vitally important to how we guide the direction of the charity going forward.
You’ve signed up for Scotty’s March with other members of the Council. Why do you want to take part?
To spend time with other Scotty members while raising money and awareness for the charity.
Emily as a child with her dad
Why I'm taking on Scotty’s March
“To spend time with other Scotty members while raising money and awareness for the charity.”
Scotty’s March is Scotty’s Little Soldiers only in-person fundraising event of 2023. Participants can take on 10km, 25km or 50km and run, walk or jog the distance to raise funds to support bereaved military children and young people. Charity founder Nikki Scott will be taking part with Scotty’s Council Members, some Scotty Members and families of Scotty Members, and Scotty’s supporters.
Why it’s so important to raise funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers
“Scotty's needs funding to be able to carry on supporting all the members like it does.”
My favourite memories as Member of Scotty’s Little Soldiers
“My first Remembrance Parade with Scotty's in London was the most special thing I've done with the charity.”
Young Emily with a group of Scotty Members outside 10 Downing Street
About Scotty's Little Soldiers
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting military children and young people (0 to 25 years) who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, following the death of her husband Corporal Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009, the charity, which was set up in 2010, provides support and guidance to hundreds of bereaved military children and young people throughout their childhood.
Scotty’s currently supports over 600 members and services offered include access to child bereavement support, guidance to parents and carers, personal education and learning assistance (including grants), 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.
