Safran Electronics & Defense, the international high-technology group operating in aviation, defence and space markets, has donated £50,000 per year for three years to Scotty’s - the military bereavement charity.
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 British Forces children and young people. Children remain at the heart of the charity, but Scotty’s now supports anyone impacted by a military-connected bereavement - whether the person who died was serving or a veteran and regardless of relationship or cause of death.
The unrestricted funding from Safran Electronics & Defense in Wolverhampton, totalling £150,000, will help Scotty’s plan ahead and deliver sustained support, helping children, young people and adults from the bereaved British Armed Forces community to have ease in navigating their entitlements, the chance to build social connections, the very best mental health and wellbeing support, and outstanding development opportunities.
For over 16 years, Scotty’s has combined lived experience with professional expertise to support thousands of bereaved Forces family members and ensure their needs are recognised. Scotty’s ambition is to empower a community of more than 25,000 bereaved people by 2035.
The relationship between Safran and Scotty’s began when Safran’s Armed Forces Network, chaired by former RAF serviceman Robert Williams, organised a Tough Mudder challenge in aid of the charity. Safran then joined Scotty’s Business Heroes Club, learned more about the charity after attending Scotty’s annual fundraising ball and decided to step up their commitment and provide significant long-term support.
Andy Sloan, Head of Fundraising at Scotty’s, said:
“Safran Actuation Systems has become a true force multiplier for Scotty’s. What began with their Armed Forces Network – led by Robert Williams and a brilliant team taking on Tough Mudder in support of our members – has grown into a transformational, multi-year partnership. Their long-term commitment gives us the confidence to plan ahead and support the bereaved military community where the need is greatest. It has been a joy to work with a team who have taken the time to understand the depth of our work and who lead by example in their commitment to social value and the Armed Forces Covenant.”
John England, General Manager at Safran Actuation Systems UK, Wolverhampton (pictured below) said:
“Partnering with Scotty’s feels like a natural fit for us. There is a clear connection through the defence work we do and the many colleagues across our business with links to the Armed Forces, but above all, we are proud to support them because of the incredible work they do for people and families affected by military bereavement.”
“Although our partnership is still relatively new, it has already become incredibly meaningful to us. Our colleagues have embraced opportunities to fundraise for Scotty’s, while the charity has supported our Remembrance activities and will be joining us again this year, as well as being part of our Family Fun Day this coming weekend. This three-year commitment gives us the opportunity to build on those foundations and develop a genuine, long-term partnership. We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside Scotty’s and to help them continue making such an important difference to the Armed Forces community.”
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in aviation, defence and space markets, employing more than 110,000 people worldwide and contributing to a safer, more sustainable world through its innovation and research programmes.
Around 10% of the children and young people supported by Scotty’s live within commuting distance of Safran’s base in Wolverhampton.
Scotty’s - the military bereavement charity
Scotty’s - the military bereavement charity, supports and empowers anyone affected by military-connected bereavement.
That includes people grieving the death of someone who served in the British Armed Forces, whatever their relationship to the person who died, the cause or circumstance of their death. It also includes those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and are experiencing a bereavement of their own.
Scotty’s helps children, young people and adults from the British Armed Forces community 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.
To find out more, visit www.scottys.org.uk, email welcome@scottys.org.uk or call 0800 092 8571.
