A STRATTON family raising money for the children of servicemen and women killed in action will target as many as 5,000 visitors at next month’s Stratton Festival.

Bethany Simpkins, of Ermin Street, Stratton St Margaret, will join forces with Chris Matthews, of Locksgreen Crescent, and hold a raffle at the July 20 event in an effort to draw awareness to the work of charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

The charity was founded by Nichola Scott after her soldier husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in southern Afghanistan on July 10, 2009.

It raises money to provide treats, outings and activities so that bereaved Forces children and their families can enjoy breaks from their struggles.

Bethany’s brother, Timon, is currently serving in Afghanistan and was friends with Cpl Scott, which is why his sister supports the charity.

She said it was a tough time for her brother because he was still out there fighting battles and doing some of the jobs that Lee would have been doing.

“It was a constant reminder of his missing friend,” she said.

“Knowing that my brother served with him brings the charity closer to my heart.

“We are just looking to raise awareness of the charity in this area, and show people that it exists and it needs supporting.

“It is just a charity that pulls on my heart strings because I can imagine what it would be like to grow up without my parents, especially with a brother currently in a war zone.”

The charity uses money to provide children with days out and birthday gifts but primarily to buy and maintain holiday homes, known as Scotty Lodges.

These are used to enable families to take breaks when they require respite.

The festival at Stratton Leisure Centre in Grange Drive will run from 11am until 6pm on July 20 and organisers are expecting between 2,500 and 5,000 visitors over the course of the day.

It is the first year the event has been run but Stratton Parish Council clerk Paul Russel says he hopes it will be successful enough to hold it again next year.

Anybody who can donate prizes to the raffle should call Bethany on 01793 341449.

She is also willing to collect donations if necessary.