The community supported by Scotty’s – the military bereavement charity has received a heartfelt letter from Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, ahead of Remembrance Weekend, as his annual message reaches the charity’s wider bereaved military community for the first time.
Credit: Scotty’s
The Duke has supported Scotty’s since 2017 and became the charity’s Global Ambassador in 2023. It has become an annual tradition for him to write to members of Scotty’s over the Remembrance period. This year, for the first time, his letter was shared with adults, as well as children and young people, following Scotty’s recent extension of its services to support anyone affected by military-connected bereavement.
In the letter, Prince Harry let Scotty’s community know that he is thinking of them over the Remembrance period and paid tribute to their loved ones, thanking them for their service. He acknowledged that grief doesn’t leave you, but rather it can affect you at any age and often catches you by surprise. He referenced the importance of having people around you and reminded them that Scotty’s is there for them.
The Duke opened his letter by saying:
“Whether you’re a young person who has been part of Scotty’s Little Soldiers for years, or someone older who is just now discovering this community under the new name Scotty’s, I’m glad you found us.
Navigating the grief of losing a loved one doesn’t leave you, no matter how old you are. Know that you are not alone, as this is one of the most universal experiences of being human. Scotty’s will be with you every step of the way.
When I was in the British Army, knowing someone had your back meant everything. I recognise that same spirit at Scotty’s, where the people around you will understand without you having to explain. They just get it, and that alone brings comfort and relief.”
To read The Duke’s letter in full, click HERE.
Scotty’s founder, Nikki Scott BEM, set up Scotty’s, known then as Scotty’s Little Soldiers, in 2010 after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, leaving behind their two young children. What began as a charity supporting bereaved military children and young people has now extended its services to support anyone affected by military-connected bereavement.
Nikki Scott said:
“It means so much to have The Duke’s continued support. His Remembrance letter has become something our children and young people look forward to receiving each year, and it feels particularly special that this year his message will reach our wider Scotty’s community too.
“When I founded Scotty’s, it was to support children and young people who, like my own children, had experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. Children and young people will always be at the heart of what we do, but over the years we have learnt so much about the wider impact of military bereavement and the different ways it can affect people, which is why we have extended our support.
“Remembrance is an important time for our community. Behind every name being remembered is someone who was loved and is deeply missed. I hope this letter reminds everyone in our community that they are not alone, that the person they are remembering matters, and that Scotty’s is here for them.”
Scotty’s, the military bereavement charity, supports and empowers anyone affected by military-connected bereavement.
Scotty’s supports those grieving the death of someone who had served in the British Armed Forces, whatever their relationship to the person who died, or the cause or circumstances of their death. It also supports those who serve or have served in the British Armed Forces and are experiencing a bereavement of their own.
For Laura Robbins MBE, Scotty’s extension recognises the impact military bereavement can have on the whole family.
Laura Robbins’ husband, Squadron Leader Nick Robbins, died while serving in the Royal Air Force on 28 September 2014. Their children, Tanith and Ewan, who were 11 and nine when their dad died, are members of Scotty’s. Laura Robbins is now part of Scotty’s bereaved adult community and sits on the charity’s Adult Advisory Board. She is also Chair of the RAF Widows Association.
Laura Robbins said:
“Remembrance is deeply personal for our family, and it means a great deal to know that The Duke is thinking of us and others in the Scotty’s community at this time of year.
“My children have grown up as members of Scotty’s, and now, as part of the wider community myself, it feels particularly special to be included in his message too.
“Military bereavement can affect the whole family in different ways, which is why Scotty’s extending its support to adults as well as children and young people is so important.”
One hundred people from Scotty’s community will come together in London over Remembrance Weekend to honour loved ones who served in the British Armed Forces. They will attend Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance and march past the Cenotaph following the National Service of Remembrance. The group includes 55 bereaved military children and young people aged between seven and 25, accompanied by 45 parents, carers and Scotty team members. Some of the parents and carers are also part of Scotty’s newly extended bereaved adult community.
Scotty’s members will wear their distinctive yellow and black scarves, the Scotty colours, as a symbol of unity, pride and remembrance. The colours were chosen to match those of Corporal Lee Scott’s squadron within the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, where he served before being killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
Scotty’s helps children, young people and adults to have confidence and clarity in navigating their entitlements, the chance to build social connections, the very best mental health and wellbeing support, and outstanding development opportunities.
For more than 16 years, Scotty’s has combined lived experience with professional expertise, academic research and the voices of the bereaved military community to understand what works, what doesn’t, and where there are gaps in support. This has shaped the charity’s approach and its ambition to ensure anyone affected by military-connected bereavement can access support that understands their experiences and their connection to the Armed Forces community.
Scotty’s ambition is to empower a community of more than 25,000 bereaved people by 2035.
For more information about Scotty’s, visit www.scottys.org.uk.
To read The Duke’s letter in full, click HERE.
