Lexie will march this September for “every bereaved military child”
15-year-old Lexie Pallett is one 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. Lexie’s dad, Sergeant Ollie Pallett, served in the RAF for 22 years with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He died by suicide in 2020 when Lexie was 11-years-old.
75 Scotty’s supporters are set to take part in the fundraising event in Henley-on-Thames on September 23rd. Lexie will be taking on the Scotty’s March virtually while also completing her Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award Expedition because it is so important to her to take part. Here, Lexie 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 2020.
Scotty Member Lexie
Remembering my military parent
“My dad was Sergeant Ollie Pallett and he served in the RAF for 22 years, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a licensed Aircraft technician and he served on the VC10, Herc, Voyager, A400. He was a real aircraft geek and loved everything about them even working on planes that were retired and taking me and my family with him. I still do it to this day to carry him with me.
He was a kind and caring person. The memories I remember most are our times away in our caravan every year since I was small. Driving down tiny country roads having no idea where we were but he refused to believe we were lost. He loved to cook, we would often be concocting something in the kitchen, some turning out nicer than the others. He died in February 2020, by suicide, just before lockdown.”
How Scotty’s Little Soldiers has helped me
“Scotty's have given me friendships that I wouldn't change for the world because you meet people from all over the country. You wouldn't have met them other than through Scotty's, and they just all get it. You don't even have to talk about it which is sometimes really nice just to know that they understand exactly what you are going through and it helps so much. The Scotty's team are also all so lovely and you just feel a connection with them straight away and bond with them and they are always there when I need them.”
What can Scotty Members find difficult following the death of a parent
“Some of the things I find challenging are being able to feel happy since my dad died and I know lots of other members that feel the same way. Scotty's has taught me that it is okay to be happy even though Dad isn’t with me. Another thing that is very challenging is certain subjects or topics at school because everyone gets different triggers and in my personal experience schools haven't been the best at dealing with situations that happen in class and it can really have an impact on your mental health.”
Why I’m part of The Scotty’s Council
“I see my role as part of the Member’s Council to give a voice to all the members of Scotty's opinions and to say what they need. I take pride in my role knowing that in many small ways I am helping so many young children get the support they need.”
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.
Why I'm taking on Scotty’s March
“I have signed up to the Scotty's March to give back to the charity that has helped me so much and make sure it reaches every bereaved military child.”
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
“It is important that the charity continues receiving funds is so that they can keep up and running. You'd be surprised how much a Christmas Party and any event the charity throws help us to connect with people who understand what we are going through and building lifelong friendships. Without funding they couldn't do that anymore. Without funding there will be children who won't be able to have their support.”
>> Support Lexie and the rest of the Scotty’s Council: DONATE HERE <<
My favourite memories as Member of Scotty’s Little Soldiers
“All of my moments with Scotty's I cherish in my heart, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be my first Christmas Party because I made my first Scotty’s friends and realised that I wasn't alone in what I was going through. I was allowed to have fun.”
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.
