Armed Forces daughter takes on charity challenge in memory of hero dad

10 June 2025

Stacey-Louise Bottomley, born in Munster, and now resident in Poole, is taking on the 13 Bridges Challenge in London this month in memory of her father, Corporal Phillip Bottomley Royal Logistic Corps, who was shot and killed in Bosnia in July 1994.
 
SSAFA’s 13 Bridges Challenge on June 28 – Armed Forces Day – is a 10-mile walk though London taking in thirteen of London’s famous bridges. Funds raised on the day go towards SSAFA’s support for UK Armed Forces veterans and serving personnel, and their families, here and abroad.

The conflicts, and the British humanitarian, peacekeeping and combat duties in the Balkans are now largely forgotten by the public, but not by Stacey-Louise – who was just five when her father, who came from and was laid to rest in Blackhall, County Durham died – nor the UK personnel who served there.

Of her reasons for taking on 13 Bridges, she says: “I’m doing it in memory of Dad, because of the support SSAFA gives to thousands of people each year, and because of the help it provided to my Nan, who’s now passed. Her local branch, Durham, helped get her a mobility scooter, which she used after she had to stop driving, so SSAFA means a lot to me.

Stacey-Louise – who has a son, Ryan, aged 12 – has a keen interest in baton twirling, and was placed a very creditable third in the National Baton Twirling Championships last year.

She says: “I’d hadn’t done baton twirling for 17 years, but it really helps me. So, in October 2024 I performed a freestyle routine in memory of my dad to commemorate the 30 years he’s been gone. It was one most amazing moments in my life to show everyone what a hero he was.”

SSAFA’s work helps the whole Armed Forces family from people like Stacey-Louise’s grandmother to the last few remaining WWII veterans and to young children. SSAFA has specific support for families with disabled children, and groups for those who are bereaved. Donating to Stacey-Louise means SSAFA can carry on its life-changing and in some cases life-saving work today and tomorrow.