One hundred people from the Scotty’s Community came together in London over Remembrance Weekend to honour loved ones who served in the British Armed Forces.
This year’s Remembrance Weekend was particularly significant for Scotty’s, following the extension of the charity’s services earlier this year to support anyone affected by military-connected bereavement, including adults as well as children and young people.
The group included 55 bereaved military children and young people aged between eight 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.
(The Scotty's Community is pictured outside Royal Albert Hall ahead of RBL's Festival of Remembrance.)
Wearing distinctive yellow and black scarves, which match the colours of the squadron within the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment where Scotty’s founder Nikki Scott’s husband, Corporal Lee Scott, served, the group attended the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday before taking part in the March Past the Cenotaph following the National Service of Remembrance on Sunday. Many also wore their loved one’s medals with pride.
(Eight-year-old Ronan carried the wreath on behalf of Scotty's.)
Eight-year-old Ronan Doncaster carried the wreath on behalf of Scotty’s during the March Past, walking in honour of his dad, Troy Doncaster, who served as a Guardsman with 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards and died in April 2024.
Eighteen-year-old Ruth Watson took part in memory of her dad, John Watson, who served with the Band of the Royal Engineers and died in 2014, when Ruth was five.
Ruth said:
“Taking part in the Remembrance Parade allows me to feel closer to my dad and remember the time we spent together. It allows us to reflect on his life and be proud of him.
“The Scotty’s Community is like having a second family. It’s a space that allows us to connect with others in similar situations and understand that we are not going through anything alone. Scotty’s helps me learn about my dad’s military life and feel more connected to him.”
(Vicky Bovington with her daughter Elizabeth, Ruth Watson and Nikki Scott BEM.)
Also taking part was Vicky Bovington, who walked with her daughter Elizabeth in memory of her husband, Leading Naval Nurse Thomas “Tom” Bovington, who died in 2016. Following the extension of Scotty’s services this year, Vicky is now part of Scotty’s adult community too.
Vicky said:
“This year, I walked in the Remembrance Parade with my daughter Elizabeth to honour her father. Being surrounded by the Scotty’s team and other people from the Scotty’s Community gave us a real sense of belonging.
“It is incredibly important that Scotty’s now supports adults, because losing someone who served in the military doesn’t stop affecting you when you reach a certain age. Scotty’s recognises that bereavement affects the whole family and wider community.”
Scotty’s Founder, Nikki Scott BEM, said:
“Remembrance Weekend is always so meaningful for the Scotty’s community. It gives people the opportunity to honour those they love, feel proud of their service and stand alongside others who understand the significance of this time of year.
“Seeing 100 people from our community walking together today was incredibly powerful. Everyone was carrying their own memories, but no one had to carry them alone. That sense of connection is what Scotty’s is all about.
“This Remembrance Sunday was particularly significant because, for the first time, we came together as a community that supports anyone affected by military-connected bereavement. Children and young people remain at the heart of Scotty’s, but adults can now access our support too. We want anyone affected by military-connected bereavement to know that support and a welcoming community are here for them.”
Founded in 2010 as Scotty’s Little Soldiers, Scotty’s extended its services in 2026 to support and empower anyone affected by military-connected bereavement, including adults as well as children and young people.
So far in 2026, Scotty’s has supported 1,026 people, including 857 children and young people and 169 adults.
Support is now available to anyone grieving the death of someone who served in the British Armed Forces, whatever their relationship to the person who died or the circumstances of their death. It is also available to those who serve or have served and are experiencing a bereavement of their own. Scotty’s aims to empower a community of more than 25,000 bereaved people by 2035.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Scotty’s Global Ambassador, continued his annual tradition of writing a personal Remembrance letter, letting people across Scotty’s Community know they were in his thoughts over Remembrance Weekend. Read the letter HERE.
Special thanks to the Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Serco, Clara E Burgess Charity, Rail Delivery Group, Cabs for Veterans and the Royal British Legion's Women's Section for their generosity and helping Scotty's community to feel supported over the Remembrance period.
If you have been affected by a military-connected bereavement, you can join the Scotty's Community for support. Alternatively, you can call us on on 0800 092 8571, WhatsApp 07392 868 291 or email welcome@scottys.org.uk.
