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'THERE'S ALWAYS A GAP'

Kind-hearted volunteers come together to wrap Christmas presents for children who have lost parents in the armed forces

Scotty's Little Soldiers sends a Christmas and birthday gift to hundreds of British children every year

KIND-hearted volunteers have chipped in to help raise the smiles of hundreds of grieving children this Christmas.

Scotty's Little Soldiers supporters helped wrap presents for kids who have lost a parent while serving in the armed forces.

Several helpers came together to wrap presents for young children who have suffered the loss of a parent serving in the armed forces today
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Several helpers came together to wrap presents for young children who have suffered the loss of a parent serving in the armed forces todayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Presents included bicycles, Scalectrix sets and dolls houses, Scotty's Little Soldiers' founder Nikki Scott said
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Presents included bicycles, Scalectrix sets and dolls houses, Scotty's Little Soldiers' founder Nikki Scott saidCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
More than 100 children will receive gifts thanks to donations from generous members of the public
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More than 250 children will receive gifts thanks to donations from generous members of the publicCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

And its founder Nikki Scott has explained how your donations can make a huge difference this winter.

Scotty's sends Christmas and birthday gifts to hundreds of children throughout the UK who have suffered tragedy.

Nikki said: "It's only when you start seeing the name tags that you realise they have all lost a parent.



Give cash

Online:

Text: To give £2, text KIDS55 2 to 70070. You can change the amount to £3, £4, £5 or £10 by changing the last figure to 3, 4, 5 or 10.

Post: Send a cheque, made payable to JustGiving Foundation, to JustGiving The Sun Appeal, Bluefin Building 2nd Floor, London SE1 0TA

Give toys

You can donate new or used toys in good condition at 1,370 branches of McColl’s convenience stores.

Toys “R” Us will accept new toys only — look for special Sun trolleys near entrances.

Tell pals

Like our Facebook page 

Or tweet using #SmilesAtChristmas to let us know how you’re getting involved!


"One parent who was helping with the wrapping cried."

The annual event took place at the charity's King's Lynn HQ in Norfolk this morning.

Among the presents children are being given this year are bicycles, dolls houses and Scalectrix sets.

Every child's Christmas gift costs the same, with the value of cheaper toys rounded up using gift vouchers.

More than 250 children will be receiving presents this year - and Nikki is determined to make sure all kids in a similar heartbreaking situation can turn to Scotty's in their time of need.

Nikki, who was inspired to found the charity after her children Kai and Brooke lost their soldier father Lee in Afghanistan, added: "We have grown through word of mouth.

";But we also work with separate regiments and Help for Heroes.

The event was held at the charity's HQ in King's Lynn, Norfolk, this morning
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The event was held at the charity's HQ in King's Lynn, Norfolk, this morningCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Sun is supporting Scotty's Little Soldiers this Christmas with every pound you give helping to put a smile on the face of a young child
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The Sun is supporting Scotty's Little Soldiers this Christmas with every pound you give helping to put a smile on the face of a young childCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Describing the trauma heartbroken youngsters can suffer at this time of year, Nikki said: "It's hard with someone missing at the table. There is always a gap."
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Describing the trauma heartbroken youngsters can suffer at this time of year, Nikki said: "It's hard with someone missing at the table. There is always a gap."Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

"But it is difficult to find children who suffered loss before the charity was set up in 2010."

She adds: "Christmas is often the hardest time for the children, especially with someone missing at their table.

"There's always a gap."

More than 1,000 children in the UK are believed to have lost a parent while they served their country.

Scotty's supports youngsters up to the age of 19, but many "Scotty Graduates" come back to support younger members long after they reach 20.

You can make sure Scotty's Little Soldier's continues putting a smile on the faces of heartbroken children this December by .

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