News

Erskine holds a special place in the hearts of Rangers fans and the Rangers Charity Foundation is continuing its partnership with the veterans’ charity into season 2017/18.

This year the Foundation has pledged to help Erskine buy equipment for its new Activity Centre at its Reid Macewen Training and Conference Centre (RMTCC) housed on the Erskine Estate, Bishopton (pictured above).

With plans to open in December, the Centre will allow Erskine to extend its reach, by engaging with veterans who are living in their own home who do not need, want or qualify for long-term residential care.

Attending the centre will be particularly beneficial to those who are lonely, socially isolated, and suffer from physical and/or mental health problems. The Centre will be a meeting place for up to 20 veterans per day and will provide opportunities for veterans to learn many new skills and explore a number of interests through the various classes on offer.

The specific activities available will be heavily influenced by the veterans who attend, but the Centre is likely to include a TV/film room, meeting room for support services, a computer training suite, an arts and crafts room, recreation space for exercise classes, games, and to use the existing kitchen for cookery classes.  It will also act as an open venue where veterans can access advice and support from other charities/organisations. 

Erskine will meet the running costs of the Centre, which will initially operate as a pilot project; however a whole range of other materials and equipment will be needed for the various activities and classes on offer. 

The Rangers Charity Foundation has pledged to donate £5,000 in season 2017/18 to fund items such as art and craft materials, cookery equipment and utensils, basic exercise equipment, DVDs and computer software.

The pledge is being made as part of the Foundation’s Armed Forces Partnership which also includes the Coming Home Centre in Govan and AA Veterans Support in Northern Ireland.  

Sara Bannerman, Head of External Relations at Erskine said: “We are immensely grateful to The Rangers Charity Foundation for their amazing support for this new project.

“This will enable Erskine to meet the changing needs of our ex-service community by extending our service provision to the wider veterans’ community.”

The support offered to Erskine by the Rangers Charity Foundation this season is just the latest initiative in a long line of support the Foundation has given the charity.

For over more than a decade, the Foundation has donated cash, auction prizes and season tickets as well as arranging fundraising can collections and special visits for the residents. 

During season 2011/12, the Foundation funded the Glasgow home’s replacement bed programme to provide new ‘Electric Profiling’ beds to help improve the independence, comfort and general health of residents.  The £25,000 donation also helped to refit The Royal Scots Shop within the Bishopton home – a vital resource for residents and their guests.

For season 2015/16, the Foundation raised £10,000 towards Erskine’s memorial garden in remembrance of those who lost their lives in both world wars and subsequent conflicts to mark the charity’s 100th anniversary. The Garden provides a beautiful place for residents, their families and visitors, staff, volunteers and the wider community to enjoy.

In season 16/17, we donated £10,000 towards a specially adapted minibus (pictured) to allow the residents to go out on day trips.