Fortis Vision has donated £2,000 to Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a national charity that supports children who have lost a parent from the Armed Forces.
This donation has been made in conjunction with our continued support for the Armed Forces Covenant, encouraging ex-military individuals who are looking to develop their businesses and skills within the construction industry to work with us. We are proud to fly the flag for the Armed Forces Covenant, and are extremely grateful for our team’s experience from the Armed Forces that helps us achieve ‘the impossible’.
As a longstanding member of the Reserve Forces, Fortis Vision’s Managing Director, David Borthwick, knows the value of charities like Scotty’s. He commented:
“This donation underlines the company’s commitment to offer support to those who serve and have served for our country, as well as their families. Our roots are in the military and we genuinely believe in the benefits of hiring ex-military for the service we provide to clients, but also for the much-deserved support that we can give. Every year Fortis Vision makes a substantial donation to a charity. This year, given our work with the Armed Forces Covenant and my military background, we chose Scotty’s.
We know that for people who have served in the Armed Forces, starting a brand-new career can be really tough. Having been top of their game, many individuals have to reinvent themselves in a different line of work with a different ethos. To develop our employment of ex-military, Fortis Vision networks with veterans and those currently serving, supporting charity and sporting events or really anywhere we can.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers was set up in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott after she saw the shattering impact of the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, on her two young children. Nikki wanted to help others in the same situation, and has succeeded: her charity now supports hundreds of bereaved children and young people.
Scotty’s support includes providing access to emotional health and wellbeing care, offering development opportunities through a range of activity and educational grants, organising fun in-person and virtual events to engage members and reassure them they are not alone, providing respite breaks, posting birthday and Christmas presents, and remembering the anniversary of parents’ deaths.
David highlighted his affinity with the charity, saying:
“I’ve supported Scotty’s for over four years. As a Reservist, the charity immediately struck a chord with me. I have served in similar environments to Nikki’s husband Lee, many with families have lost their lives, and I also had young children at home.”
The charity’s founder Nikki expressed her gratitude for the donation. She said:
“I’m so grateful to David and the whole team at Fortis Vision for choosing Scotty’s. This donation will go a long way in helping us deliver a high level of support to hundreds of children and young people who at such a young age have already gone through so much. The last year has been difficult for everyone, but our members have already lost one parent, so for them the fear of losing another is terrifying. The work we do helps reassure them that they are not alone and offers them a network of support as and when they need it.”
Visit Scotty’s Little Soldiers home page to find out more and the how we help page: https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/how-we-help