From Forces child to father: Why I’m running for Forces Children Scotland

This May, Sergeant Scott Urban is running the half-marathon in Edinburgh and raising money to support our work. Here is his story, from growing up in a Forces family to now being a serving soldier and a parent himself.

“This run is my way of giving something back. It is a thank you to the child I once was, and a show of support to the children who are living that reality right now.”

Scott has exceeded his fundraising target of £500 on behalf of babies, children and young people from Armed Forces families. You can follow his progress and make a contribution here:

Scott’s JustGiving page

Scott and his son: ‘This is my son Alfie and I enjoying some leave.’

I was a Forces child myself while my father served with the Scots Guards, including during the Falklands conflict at Mount Tumbledown. Experiencing military life as a child gave me first hand insight into the challenges, uncertainty and resilience that service children often grow up with.

Like many military families, our life was shaped by postings, absences, uncertainty, and the constant awareness that my father’s job carried real danger. While I was incredibly proud of his service, pride does not cancel out the anxiety, disruption, or emotional toll that military life places on children.

Scott’s father, then and now: ‘A photo of my Father with a picture taken of him in the Falkland Islands at Bluff Cove in 1982.’

As a child, I learned early how to be resilient, adaptable, and independent, not because I wanted to, but because I had to be. Schools changed, friendships were temporary, and family routines were dictated by the needs of the Army. At times when other children could rely on consistency, service children quietly learned to cope with uncertainty. When my father was away, the house felt different. When he returned, we all had to adjust again. These experiences shape you for life, often in ways that are not fully understood until much later.

Forces Children Scotland exists to give recognition, support, and a voice to children who grow up in this unique environment. It acknowledges that while serving personnel wear the uniform, their families, especially their children, serve alongside them in ways that are rarely seen or celebrated. Emotional support, advocacy, and a sense of belonging can make a profound difference to a young person who feels isolated, unsettled, or unseen.

Scott as a child: ‘Where it all began for me and my pathway to joining the Military. Wearing my Dad’s beret.’

Running a half marathon for this charity is deeply personal to me. It is not just about physical endurance; it is about honouring the quiet strength of service children everywhere, past and present. Every mile I run represents the resilience of children who pack up their lives at short notice, who learn to say goodbye too often, and who grow up carrying both pride and worry in equal measure.

This run is my way of giving something back. It is a thank you to the child I once was, and a show of support to the children who are living that reality right now. Forces Children Scotland ensures they are not forgotten, and I am honoured to run in support of a charity that understands just how much service children give, even when no one is watching.

Remembrance: ‘This is a photo of my Father and I before attending last year’s Remembrance parade in our local town of Newtongrange.’

Serving in Cyprus: ‘A young me serving with the UN in Cyprus.’

Day job: ‘This was taken recently on a UK exercise assisting the RAF moving Artillery equipment.’