News

Rangers Defender Jon Flanagan today (26 April 2019) handed over a donation of £30,000 to Glasgow City Mission on behalf of the Rangers Charity Foundation thanks to the generosity and commitment of hundreds of fans who slept out at Ibrox overnight this winter.

The Big Ibrox Sleep Outs raised an incredible £60,000, which was split between the Rangers Charity Foundation’s work in the community and Glasgow City Mission.  The £30,000 donated allowed Glasgow City Mission to keep Glasgow’s Winter Night Shelter open throughout the month of March this year, when it would normally otherwise have been forced to close.

The Glasgow Winter Night Shelter aims to meet homeless people’s immediate need for a warm, safe place to sleep. Partner organisations then help individuals find suitable temporary accommodation, as an alternative to rough sleeping.  The shelter normally operates from the start of December to the end of February, but over the last few years has been able to stay open in March, when it is still very cold, thanks to funding from the Foundation.

Connal Cochrane, Director of the Rangers Charity Foundation said: “We are very proud of our strong community partnership with Glasgow City Mission, which is now in its fourth season. 

“Our supporters have fundraised over £175,000 for homeless projects over the last four years from our Big Ibrox Sleep Outs; £141,000 of which hashelped Glasgow City Mission deliver crucial and ground-breaking projects addressing the causes and effects of homelessness in our city.

“Having volunteered at the Winter Night Shelter I know first-hand the vital role it plays in keeping vulnerable people safe in the coldest months and I was sorry to see that the need for this service is even greater than ever, with the number of unique guests staying at the shelter up from last winter.

 “On the plus side, I know that staff and volunteers at the Winter Night Shelter do a great job of supporting the individuals who come through the door, with 74% of those who used the service able to go on to a positive destination such as a private let after seeking help at the shelter.” 

Rangers Defender, Jon Flanagan, added: “It’s great to be a part of the Rangers Charity Foundation’s official donation to Glasgow City Mission today.

“I know that the Big Ibrox Sleep Outs have become extremely important to the fans and I’ve been amazed to hear how much of a difference their fundraising has made to homeless people in Glasgow – we’re all very proud!”

Ex-Rangers player and current Academy Coach, Gregory Vignal, also took part in the Big Ibrox Sleep Out last December, helping to fundraise over £400. He has since spent time volunteering at the Glasgow Winter Shelter, where he helped to set-up beds, hand-out refreshments, speak with guests and share the event’s fundraising success with the shelter’s support team.

Phil Wray, Head of Projects at Glasgow City Mission, said: “We are very grateful to Rangers Charity Foundation for all your support, which once again enabled us to keep the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter open for the month of March.

“Without the amazing fundraising of everyone who took part in the Big Ibrox Sleepouts 2018, some 227 guests would have been at risk of sleeping rough in March – in some cases in hail, snow, and freezing conditions.

“Thank you so much on behalf of everyone involved in the night shelter.”

The Rangers Charity Foundation would like thank Rangers kit sponsor 32Red, which pledged its generous support to the Foundation and to every fan who took part in the Sleep Outs.

32Red once again kick-started every participant’s fundraising by donating their first £10 of sponsorship and sponsored the fantastic hot breakfast provided for everyone in the morning after the event.

For more information about Glasgow City Mission, visit: www.glasgowcitymission.com.