£150K Gift Supports Military Families Through Grief

When someone in uniform dies, the families left behind face not just grief but a maze of practical challenges most people never have to navigate alone.

Griffin Catalyst, founded by Citadel CEO Kenneth C. Griffin, just committed £150,000 over multiple years to Scotty's, a UK charity supporting anyone affected by military-connected bereavement. The donation means thousands of bereaved children, young people, and adults will get the help they need, when they need it.

Scotty's provides four types of support that work together. Their START programme helps families understand their entitlements and find resources with expert guidance. The SMILES programme connects people with others who share their experience of military loss.

For those struggling emotionally, the SUPPORT programme offers one-on-one sessions with bereavement counselors. And the STRIDES programme opens doors through education grants, career mentoring, and development opportunities for young adults building their futures.

The charity was born from personal loss. Army widow Nikki Scott founded it in 2010 after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. What started as support for bereaved military children has grown over 16 years to include adults while keeping children at its heart.

The gift was inspired by an extraordinary fundraising effort. Four former Special Forces personnel, including MP Alistair Carns, traveled from London to the summit of Mount Everest and back in just seven days to raise money for Scotty's and other military charities.

Why This Inspires

Andy Sloan, Scotty's Head of Fundraising, explained why multi-year commitments matter. "This gift means we can plan ahead with confidence and focus on making sure our community gets the very best support we can provide," he said. "Grief is not linear," and long-term funding helps the charity be there not just today but in the years ahead.

The donation reflects Griffin Catalyst's ongoing commitment to supporting service members and their families in both the US and UK. It's a recognition that those who sacrifice for their country, and those who love them, deserve support that lasts as long as they need it.

Scotty's now supports anyone affected by military-connected bereavement, regardless of their relationship to the person who died or how that person died. Veterans experiencing their own bereavements can also access help.

For families navigating the hardest days of their lives, this funding means one less thing to worry about and one more place to turn.