Scotty’s trustee Simon Millar, a long-standing and passionate supporter of the charity, is marking his final year on the Board after nine years of service by taking on an extraordinary eight-day “Waterloo to Waterloo” fundraising challenge.
Simon, who is approaching his 60th birthday, will walk from Waterloo in Belgium to Waterloo in London this May, raising funds to support children, young people and adults affected by military-connected bereavement. He has already raised over £12,000 and all monies raised will be collected by the Feltmakers Charitable Foundation and donated to Scotty’s. Simon hopes to reach his target of £20,000 through his walk and other fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
Scotty’s supports and empowers anyone affected by military-connected bereavement. Founded in 2010 by Army widow Nikki Scott after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, the charity began as Scotty’s Little Soldiers, supporting bereaved military children and young people. Children remain at the heart of the charity, but as Scotty’s continues its transition, adults will also be able to access support later in 2026, ensuring that anyone affected, from any branch of the Armed Forces and regardless of their relationship to the person who died, can receive help.
The challenge, which spans hundreds of miles between the two historic Waterloos, is inspired by Simon’s role as Master of the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers, a City of London Livery Company, where each Master is encouraged to mark their year with a charitable initiative.
Simon said:
“Waterloo to Waterloo had a nice ring to it! As I approach my 60th birthday, I’ve realised I’m not a runner anymore and have never been a cyclist or swimmer, but I’m reasonably adept at walking, so I decided this challenge was doable! I’ll have no back up team, just a rucksack, a passport.”
Simon’s connection to Scotty’s began after meeting founder Nikki Scott at a rugby dinner in 2013.
“I met Nikki Scott at a rugby dinner, and when she stood up to speak, everyone went quiet and listened,” he said. “An opportunity to help the charity occurred shortly afterwards through a charity ball that I was involved in running, and an invitation to join the Board of Trustees followed shortly afterwards, which I was delighted to accept.”
Now in his ninth and final year as a trustee, Simon has seen significant growth and evolution within the charity.
“Scotty’s has always evolved, but as it expands its reach right now is the most exciting time that I have known,” he said. “It is probably then only right that I hand over to some new Trustees who have the skills to help guide the charity for the next phase of its growth.”
Stuart Robinson, CEO of Scotty’s, said:
“Simon has been an incredible supporter of Scotty’s and for me personally over the past nine years, bringing not only his expertise but also a genuine passion for the work we do. His commitment has helped shape the charity during a period of significant growth and development. Scotty’s looks very different today compared to when Simon first joined the Board! We are hugely grateful for everything he has given, and we wish him the very best of luck as he takes on this remarkable ‘Waterloo to Waterloo’ challenge.”
Although stepping down from the Board, Simon remains committed to supporting Scotty’s.
Scotty’s will be recruiting additional Trustees with specific skills later in 2026 and in 2027. To register an interest, please feel free to email Chair Jay Worthy at Jay@jayworthy.com.
Supporters can follow Simon’s journey and donate via his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/waterloo-2-waterloo
Further details on the challenge can be found at: http://www.waterloo2waterloo.com
