An armed forces children's charity is calling on people across the UK to get their hats on for charity this Christmas.
Scotty's Little Soldiers, based in King's Lynn, is asking people of all ages to take part in Scotty's Bobble Hat Day on Friday, December 8, and to make a difference to a bereaved child this Christmas by making a small donation.
The charity was founded by war widow Nikki Scott in 2010, after her husband and father of her two eldest children, Corporal Lee Scott, died in Afghanistan in 2009.The charity now provides support to more than 300 bereaved armed forces children across the UK to help them smile again.
Ms Scott said: 'Christmas is one of the toughest times of year for children who have experienced the loss of a parent.
'It's the time of year when everyone comes together as a family and not having your mum or dad with you at such a young age can make you feel very alone.
'By taking part in Bobble Hat Day and donating to Scotty's, you're helping us continue the vital support needed at this time of year and beyond.
'Scotty's is like a big family for our members and at Christmas we make sure they never feel alone.'
Celebrities including Britain's Got Talent winner and Scotty's ambassador, magician Lance Cpl Richard Jones, is backing the campaign.
Mr Jones said: 'We're not all lucky enough to have our whole family around us at Christmas, and for children it's even harder, so please get involved, just a small donation will make a huge difference.'
To take part in Scotty's Bobble Hat Day, wear your favourite, quirkiest bobble or festive hat on Friday, December 8 and text 'BHAT17 £2' to 70070 and donate just £2.
Share your photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #BobbleHatDay.
Children who join the charity as a member benefit from three assistance programmes - Smiles, Support and Strides.
The Smiles programme help families plan fun days out, arrange vouchers for anniversaries and gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
Children are able to get emotional support through counselling and a dedicated family support worker in the charity's Support programme.
The Strides programme offers grants for driving lessons, university and extracurricular activities.
For more information or to download your own Bobble Hat Day selfie board head to www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/bobblehatday
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