A woman whose husband was killed in Afghanistan has seen her dream of providing holidays to the children of fallen soldiers move a step closer.

Nikki Scott set up the charity Scotty's Little Soldiers last year after her husband Lee was killed by a roadside bomb.

Cpl Lee Scott of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, who was born in Ely and grew up in King's Lynn, was 26 when he died in July 2009.

To honour her husband, and the father of her two children, Kai, seven and Brooke, two, Nikki's charity offers days out and birthday and Christmas gifts for children who have lost a parent.

She is hoping to raise �450,000 to provide holiday homes for families suffering with loss. With a recent �3,500 donation from King's Lynn insurance broker Adrian Flux and Norwich-based Uninsured Loss Recovery, the total raised has grown to more than �70,000.

The charity has already put smiles on the faces of 24 children, ranging in age from one to 14.

'When we receive donations such as this one, personally – as a widow – it really touches me because I know the money will really help the children, helping us towards our holiday home target and in providing gifts and days out,' she said.

'More than 200 children have lost a parent in Afghanistan alone. I want Scotty's Little Soldiers to be a positive charity; fun and bright and making the kids smile, because Lee was always playing with the kids and having fun with them.'

Simon Toop, of Adrian Flux, said: 'No one can fail to be touched by the fact that Nikki has turned a terrible tragedy into something wonderfully positive which will touch hundreds of children's lives.

'It is a privilege to help Nikki towards her goals.'