News

As 2021 draws to a close, Foundation Director Connal Cochrane shares just some of the activities and highlights of the first half of the season, which have been possible thanks to the support of the Rangers Family.

“Despite the Pandemic, it has been a hugely successful year for the Foundation thanks to the commitment and generosity of our supporters, funders, volunteers and the club. I am delighted to share just some of our activities and highlights from the season so far…”

Positive employability outcomes galore…Since August, our unique secondary education and employability programmes have achieved some incredible results: 50 young people have gained employment; 38 have been able to engage in further training opportunities; 8 have received a place at college and 120 secondary school pupils are working towards their SQA awards with us!

Big Ibrox Sleeps Outs support a great cause and Ben Lomond conquered…Over 170 supporters slept out in the cold at our famous stadium and raised an incredible £35,000, which will support Glasgow City Mission’s winter homelessness services in the city and the development of our own wider work in the community.   Over £15,000 was also raised by 64 intrepid supporters in September as they climbed Ben Lomond with Foundation trustee Alex Rae.

Festive Friends Christmas Lunch for local senior citizens…We welcomed over 80 senior citizens from the local area to enjoy friendship and chat over a delicious lunch in the Thornton Suite in the company of Willie Henderson, Marvin Andrews and Gordon Durie, and our guests were also treated to singing from St Paul’s school choir.

Virtual team visit to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children and £10,000 donation…The first team squad brought smiles to children in what unfortunately had to be a virtual visit to the wards, but with goody bags from the Foundation and our best wishes, we hope that they all enjoyed this special visit.  We were also delighted to make a donation of £10,000 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.   This donation funded Christmas decorations to brighten up the hospital, as well as a specialist piece of equipment called a BiliCocoon which is used to treat jaundiced newborns.

Three Hubs in the Community continue to support pupil attainment…We have Hub Officers based in three secondary schools who are working tirelessly to support pupils in a variety of ways to help reduce any barriers they may be facing in order to achieve their potential.  And…we hope to launch two further Hub in the Community initiatives in 2022!

Armed Forces Day celebrated and Remembrance observed…The Foundation was proud to help organise Armed Forces Day at Ibrox in October and the respectful observance of Remembrance in November.

Health and diversity programmes reach out to 1,800 young people…Our health and diversity and inclusion programmes have got off to a great start this season with our community coaches delivering a range of educational and physical activity sessions to over 40 primary schools across Glasgow.

Our new Counselling service almost ready to launch…Thanks to the Club’s fantastic support, the Foundation was delighted to welcome Jane McLean to the Foundation team in September.  Some of the most vulnerable young people and adults we work with are already starting to receive vital trauma counselling thanks to this special new service.

Generous response to requests for support…Up to the end of November, we have responded to 879 requests for support, and with Club support, continue to be as generous as we can, providing raffle and auction prizes to people across the country who are raising funds for causes close to their hearts.

Swinging 60s Charity Ball a huge success…The return of our biggest fundraising event of the year in October saw an amazing £94,000 raised in support of our work thanks to the generosity of almost 400 guests at the Hilton, Glasgow.  We also launched our 150^th Anniversary Appeal on the night which hopes to raise £150,000 this season in support of four key legacy projects – and we’ve raised over £30,000 towards our target already!

Partnerships with Unicef and Age Scotland celebrated…Older people have been some of the most impacted by the current pandemic and we were delighted to pledge to raise £25,000 for our National Charity Partner Age Scotland this season.  Meanwhile, our long-standing partnership with the world’s leading children’s charity Unicef continues and our pledge of support this season will enable over 9,000 health care workers around the world to be vaccinated against COVID 19 so that they can be there for vulnerable children and their families in countries around the globe. 

Team Talk mental wellbeing project continues to offer vital support…supported by 32Red, our Team Talk programme to support men with their mental wellbeing has really made a powerful difference for those who feel socially isolated or are struggling with mental health issues.