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 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 and went to school in Ely before moving to 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 a trio of holiday homes to offer families suffering with loss a break. 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.

“I want to make Lee proud of me,” said Nikki. “I can hear him saying to me all the time: ‘Come on Nik, you can do it’. I hope that all the fallen heroes will look down and see the people helping their kids and be really proud.”

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

“We sent two girls to see JLS and meet them backstage - it’s really nice to know that people care,” she said.

“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.

“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.”