Scotty's Announces Official Team Sponsors in IEM and OCS
Scotty's is proud to announce two new 2-year charity sponsorship deals with partners IEM and OCS. As well as generating additional income for the charity, the partnership will see the IEM and OCS brands feature on the charity's team kit.
Two members of the Scotty Team with the new kit
Scotty’s iconic black and yellow t-shirts and hoodies have had a fresh update, featuring the charity's recently announced new logo which was develop by the Scotty's Council of young people, and generous sponsorship from IEM and OCS. The team’s branded tops have always been part of the charity’s identity, helping raise awareness, build connection and show bereaved military families they’re not alone.
Scotty’s has worn yellow and black since the very beginning. The colours are a tribute to Corporal Lee Scott of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009, and whose wife Nikki founded the charity the following year with an aim that no bereaved military child ever feels isolated.
Scotty’s CEO, Stuart Robinson said: “The Scotty's brand is much more than a logo or a name - it's represented in everything we do, our values, our behaviours, and our culture in general. The team wear our colours with pride, which creates a sense of belonging, but the families we support also tell us the casual look helps them to feel like they are in a safe space.” He continued: “With today’s fundraising climate being so tough, it's important that charities explore all opportunities to generate revenue and creating a sponsorship partnership with two organisations that share our values was a no brainer.”
The new design features Scotty’s updated logo – chosen and developed by the Scotty’s Council, a group of members aged 12–25 with lived experience of military bereavement who play a key role in shaping the charity’s services. The updated logo reflects the views of young people and marks a new phase in the charity’s journey.
Andy from Scotty's and Alistair Scott, founder IEM in Colchester.
Earlier this year, Scotty’s announced a planned evolution to broaden its charitable Objects, allowing it to explore new services for anyone affected by a bereavement in the Armed Forces community, not just children and young people. While Scotty’s Little Soldiers remains the brand for services delivered to children and young people, the overarching charity will now be known more simply as Scotty’s.
This change reflects the charity’s long-term ambition to make sure no one connected to the Armed Forces feels forgotten after the death of a loved one. It’s a step shaped by listening closely to the families it supports and reinforced by recent research published by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Nikki Brown, head of the OCS Foundation, Andy Sloan, Scotty's, and Patrick Jones from OCS Estates Team who served 12 years in the Parachute Regiment.
New services are being planned to be introduced over the next few years, but currently Scotty’s provides specialist support to children and young people aged 0–25 who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces – whether that parent was serving or a veteran, and regardless of the cause of death, including illness, accident, suicide or while on active duty. The charity also offers pre-bereavement support from the point a parent is diagnosed with a terminal illness, continuing until the young person’s 25th birthday.
Support is delivered through three Family Programmes – SMILES, SUPPORT and STRIDES – which offer a mix of fun, practical and emotional help. Everything Scotty’s does is grounded in evidence and shaped by the lived experiences of its members. It’s estimated that around 2,100 children each year are newly bereaved of a parent who served in the Armed Forces. So far this year, Scotty’s has supported over 760 young people, with an ambition to reach over 1,000 annually by 2030.
Some of the Scotty Team with the new kit.
The new team kit has been made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from two long-standing corporate supporters:
IEM, a UK facilities services provider founded by former REME Captain Alistair Scott, was a founding 3-Star member of Scotty’s Business Heroes Club and has supported the charity through employee fundraising, financial contributions and strategic advice.
“At IEM, we're proud to stand behind Scotty's Little Soldiers,” said Alistair. “This cause resonates deeply within our team. As a business we believe in giving back, and we’re committed to raising awareness and support for the incredible work they do. By flying the flag for Scotty's, we show our dedication to helping families who have experienced the death of a parent who served.”
OCS, a global facilities services provider for over 125 years and with 130,000 staff, has supported Scotty’s for more than a decade and raised over £100,000 for bereaved military children and young people.
Daniel Dickson, UK and Ireland CEO at OCS said: “We’re proud to sponsor the new team kit for Scotty’s. We’ve long supported the vital work they do for bereaved military children and young people, and this is another way we can contribute to their mission. Seeing the Scotty’s team in the new kit, representing such an important cause, will be a real source of pride for all of us at OCS.”
Whether attending events, cheering on fundraisers, or standing shoulder-to-shoulder with families, the Scotty’s team wear their kit with pride – and thanks to IEM and OCS, that continues stronger than ever.