Remembrance Sunday 2025

As we approach Remembrance Day, we want to share an important and personal story from Steven Murphy, one of our 2025 Nuclear Graduates.

Steven reflects on his experience as the son of a veteran and his involvement with Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity supporting children of Forces families. This charity provides vital support to those who have lost a parent who served in the Armed Forces.

"Hi everyone,

My name is Steven; I'm 22 years old and I'm a 2025 Nuclear Graduate conducting Business Improvement. My dad, LCpl John Murphy, served in the Army in REME and also in RVC, where he was deployed on operational tours to Afghanistan, Bosnia with NATO, and Northern Ireland. Sadly, through his experience he developed PTSD and took his own life, at which time I was 3 years old. I have no memory of him, but he shapes everything I do, from the way I compose myself to my wish to make others proud and look after them.

As I'm sure you're aware, Remembrance is approaching, and it's a tough time of year for people such as myself, as we remember those we have lost in the line of duty. Many of us wear the poppy with pride, or our parents' medals (or replicas of), particularly on Remembrance Sunday and Day, which symbolises the sacrifices they have made. I feel as though it's important to share this around this time for the charity's sake as much as our own, and to give visibility to that factor. I hope that other people can appreciate us for this reason as much as the charity does, and to understand that we can talk about these experiences and be proud of our parents' achievements.

I joined Scotty's Little Soldiers in 2011, a charity started by Nikki Scott after the death of her own husband, Cpl Lee Scott, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. From then to now, they have supported me and my sister Emily, where we have benefitted from Christmas presents and parties, free holidays to Haven and Center Parcs sites, the opportunity to be a flagbearer for the England national football team, and walk in the RBL Festival of Remembrance, Sun Millie Awards, and Remembrance Parade at Whitehall in London, as well as vast other things including their Springboarded program for 18-25 year olds, which provides advice and guidance around careers, university, and other aspects of adult life.

None of this would've been possible without funding that Nikki and her team receive to provide for the children under her wing, and since being of age, I have done my best to give back for what they gave me, including fundraising and running the Bristol Half Marathon last year. I also take part in Movember each year, not just for the Forces but anyone who goes through a tough time and believes there's no way out.

So, aside from raising awareness around mental health, bereavement, and the concept of Remembrance, I want to let anyone reading this know that it's okay to talk, and you are better and stronger than you know."

• West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership - www.wcmhp.org.uk
• Every Life Matters Cumbria (Suicide prevention and support) - www.everylifematters.org.uk
• Together We CIC (Mental health, physical wellbeing and exercise therapies) - www.togetherwecan.org.uk
• Samaritans Carlisle Branch - 03300945717 (or 116 123 nationwide)

• Samaritans – Call 116 123, free and confidential, 24/7
• Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support via text
• Mind – www.mind.org.uk, mental health advice and guidance
• NHS 111 – For urgent medical or mental health advice
• Papyrus HOPELINE247 (for under-35s and suicide prevention) – Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039 967
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight daily)

Let’s take a moment to reflect and honour those who have served.