Nikki Scott, the founder of children’s Armed Forces charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, has been honoured by The Independent as one of the UK’s most inspiring people and included in this year’s Happy List…
Now in its 11th year, the Happy List shines a light on the great Britons whose extraordinary efforts are for no personal gain, and who often go unrecognised outside their own communities. It celebrates 50 people from the UK who make Britain a happier place through volunteering, mentoring and selflessness. The list is compiled through nominations from the general public.
Commenting on her nomination, Nikki said: “I’m thrilled to have been nominated and recognised by this list, it came as a huge surprise and I’m so incredibly honoured. I set up Scotty’s Little Soldiers after I lost my husband ten years ago this year and since then the charity has continued to grow to now support over 370 bereaved Armed Forces children.
“After I lost Lee, I saw first-hand how it impacted my two young children. There was no support for them, so I set up Scotty’s initially to help children who had lost a parent in the British Armed Forces smile again. I soon realised there was much more which needed to be done for these children, who at such a young age had experienced so much.
“Scotty’s now provides members and families an integral support network where they can meet and talk with other families going through the same thing. I’m extremely passionate about what I do and the children we help, and I hope that being recognised in this list will help reach other bereaved Forces children who may not be aware that Scotty’s is there for them.”