Hunstanton's Kemps Fruit & Veg supports Scotty's Little Soldiers by fundraising and gifts collection
The owners of a Hunstanton fruit and veg shop are raising money and collecting gifts for Scotty's Little Soldiers.
By setting up a toy drive and donation box, Leanne Kemp and husband, Shaun, owners of Kemps Fruit & Veg, are backing the national charity which supports children who have lost a parent who served in the Armed Forces.
Leanne said: “A few months ago, a gentleman came into our shop wearing a Scotty’s hoody and I decided to look them up to find out what the charity was about. When my husband and I read their story, we knew we wanted to do something to help raise funds and gifts to help the children who, at such a young age, have already been through so much.”
Having a young son in remission from illness, Leanne and her family have been supported by generous donations from charities, and knew she wanted to give back.
Leanne said: “We set up our toy drive in the shop at the end of October, to help raise gifts and money for Scotty’s. It’s the support of fundraisers which keeps so many charities going, and every child deserves to feel loved and supported.
“The donations we’ve received so far are incredible, enough to fill eight big boxes. Our customers have been so generous, donating teddies, toys and gift cards, we can’t thank them enough.”
On top of the toy drive, the couple have also set up a donation box in the shop and are donating food hampers to three local Scotty’s families. Louise said: “Each year we donate food hampers to charities to help the homeless, but with changes this year due to COVID, they’re unable to accept them. We knew we still wanted to donate hampers, so will be giving three to Scotty’s families, which we hope will help spread a little extra Christmas cheer.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers was founded in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott, a year after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in action. Nikki saw the devastating impact on their two young children and wanted to help others in the same situation.
The charity arranges for bereaved Forces families to go on respite breaks, organises special events, sends presents to the children at extra difficult times of year, offers wellbeing care, as well as educational support and grants.
Nikki said: “We can’t thank fundraisers like Leanne and Shaun enough, taking the time out of their busy schedules with a business to run and kids to look after, to help children who are going through so much at such a young age. Every child should feel loved and supported after losing a parent, and donations such as these do just that.”
To find out more about Scotty’s Little Soldiers, visit: https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/
