Scotty’s March 2025: Every Step Supporting Bereaved Military Families
On Saturday 27th September 2025, 57 incredible participants laced up their walking boots and running shoes to take on Scotty’s March, Scotty’s Little Soldiers’ flagship fundraising event of the year.
Hosted by Action Challenge and set in the stunning countryside of Henley-on-Thames, participants could choose from 10km, 25km or 50km routes, with the option to walk, run or jog their chosen distance. As they made their way through the Chilterns, every step was taken in support of bereaved military children and young people, ensuring they can continue to access the very best support from Scotty’s.
A group of Scotty's March participants, including Scotty's Council, corporates and individuals.
Scotty’s supporters marching together
Among the 57 participants were members of Scotty’s Council – a group of young people with lived experience of bereavement who act as a voice for other bereaved military children. Six council members joined the March, using the day to bond with each other, strengthen friendships, and connect with Scotty’s wider community of supporters.
Also taking part were employees from some of Scotty’s fantastic corporate partners, including IEM, Vivo, BDO, Blaq Cat Data Centres and National Gas. A further 10 members of the BDO North Team completed the challenge virtually, covering their chosen distances closer to home.
The team from Vivo.
Just as important were the many individual and community supporters who proudly joined the March, giving their time, energy and fundraising efforts to walk alongside Scotty’s families. Their presence highlighted the growing community of people who stand shoulder to shoulder with bereaved military children.
For corporate supporters, the event was not only a chance to fundraise but also an opportunity for team building, networking, and meeting Scotty’s founder, Nikki Scott, and members of Scotty’s Council. For individual participants, it was a personal challenge and a meaningful way to show solidarity with bereaved military families.
The team from Blaq Cat Data Centres.
A powerful day of connection
For Scotty’s Council, the March was about more than just the miles covered. It was a chance to chat, laugh, and share experiences with each other and with the wider Scotty’s community.
Scotty’s Founder, Nikki Scott, said:
“I’m so proud of our Council members for taking part in Scotty’s March this year. It’s wonderful to see the special bond they have, and to watch their friendships grow through opportunities like this. I also want to thank every single person who took part and fundraised — whether as part of a company, community group or as an individual. We couldn’t continue our work supporting bereaved military families without the generosity of our incredible supporters.”
Members of Scotty's Council.
Sarah Bunn, Scotty’s Corporate Fundraising Manager, added:
“What a great day with some amazing supporters. Our corporate partners took the chance to network, share stories and walk alongside Scotty’s Council members, hearing first-hand the impact their support makes. It was inspiring to see veterans, community fundraisers and corporate teams all coming together with the same goal – to make a difference for bereaved military children. I was pleased to hear that one of our corporate supporters was approached by someone who wants to do business with his company, purely because of his support for Scotty’s. It shows just how powerful these connections can be, both for our families and for our supporters.”
The team from BDO.
Susan Hill, Scotty’s Supporter Care, said:
“Scotty’s March is all about our incredible supporters coming together with the Scotty community. Members of our Scotty Council walk alongside corporate teams, individual fundraisers and community supporters, and the laughter, chatting and comradeship is infectious. We hear wonderful stories of supporters helping each other through the more challenging parts of the route – spotting a yellow Scotty T-shirt ahead and finding an ‘instant friend’ to walk with. My favourite bit is cheering our supporters across the finish line – the pride and sense of achievement is written on everyone’s faces. Scotty’s March isn’t just about raising funds, it’s about belonging to something bigger and proudly marching for Scotty’s together.”
Marching for bereaved military children.
Alistair Scott, Founding Director at IEM, who attended Scotty’s March with his team, said:
"It was great to see the IEM team putting in a great effort at the Scotty's March, which builds on the continued relationship we have with Scotty's, from the fundraising support through to the continued networking across the other superb supporters of Scotty's, this along with being part of the Scotty's business Heros Club has not only allowed us to give back to a cause close to us, with the added bonus of new clients being borne through supporting the charity."
Alistair and the team from IEM.
Why Scotty’s March matters
Every year, an estimated 2,100 children are newly bereaved of a parent who served in the Armed Forces. So far in 2025, Scotty’s has supported over 760 bereaved military children and young people, with a long-term goal to reach more than 1,000 annually by 2030.
Scotty’s provides tailored 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 their parent died while serving or as a veteran, and whatever the cause, including illness, accident, suicide or while on active duty. The charity also delivers pre-bereavement support from the point of a terminal diagnosis and continues until a young person’s 25th birthday.
Founded in 2010 by Army widow Nikki Scott, Scotty’s supports bereaved military children through its three core Family Programmes – focusing on wellbeing, community and development. Scotty’s is also researching the need for support within the wider military community, exploring future opportunities to expand its services.
It is the fourth year supporters have taken on Scotty’s March and the event is a true reflection of Scotty’s mission: bringing people together to raise awareness, show solidarity, and ensure bereaved military children are supported, empowered, and never alone.