The widow of a soldier who was killed while serving in Afghanistan has raised £1.5m to help children who have lost a parent. 

Nikki Scott, from King's Lynn, set up Scotty's Little Soldiers after her husband Cpl Lee Scott was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, leaving her with two young children.

The Norfolk charity, which supports bereaved military children, helped almost 600 young people last year and raised £1.5m to fund its work. 

It is now looking for more team members to help it expand its work.

Eastern Daily Press: Cpl Lee Scott from King's Lynn, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2009 Picture courtesy of Nikki ScottCpl Lee Scott from King's Lynn, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2009 Picture courtesy of Nikki Scott (Image: Courtesy of Nikki Scott)

The charity has 22 team members working out of its North Lynn HQ. It plans to grow even further during 2023 and aims to support more than 1,000 bereaved children by 2030.

“There are sadly so many young people in the UK who have experienced, or will experience, the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, and we want them to know we’re here to support them,” said Ms Scott.

Eastern Daily Press: Scotty's Little Soldiers founder Nikki Scott Picture: Paul TibbsScotty's Little Soldiers founder Nikki Scott Picture: Paul Tibbs (Image: Paul Tibbs)

"We’re determined to provide those families with world-class bereavement support and doing that means we need to continue to grow and develop a professional, sustainable charity."

Last year saw Scotty’s launch the Help Find Their Children campaign to reach more bereaved military families, supported by former head of the army General the Lord Dannatt, which saw their membership rise by 72.

Eastern Daily Press: Scotty's Little Soldiers supporter General the Lord Dannatt Picture: Scotty's Little Soldiers Scotty's Little Soldiers supporter General the Lord Dannatt Picture: Scotty's Little Soldiers (Image: Scotty's Little Soldiers)

It also received support from well-known and influential figures, including an appearance at the charity’s annual ball by SAS legends Billy Billingham and Jason Fox, and a special message from Prince Harry at their Christmas party.

Scotty’s chief executive Stuart Robinson said: “The more children and young people the charity supports, the more infrastructure we need behind the scenes to make that support sustainable."

Eastern Daily Press: Scotty's Little Soldiers is recruiting team members to help it support more bereaved forces children Picture: Scotty's Little Soldiers Scotty's Little Soldiers is recruiting team members to help it support more bereaved forces children Picture: Scotty's Little Soldiers (Image: Scotty's Little Soldiers)

The charity is looking for new offices and team members including a brand fundraising manager, a youth worker to run its programme for young adults, maternity cover for fundraising, an activities lead, a fundraising champion and corporate partnerships lead.

For more information, go to www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/jobs.