News

Christmas Cheer for Hospital Kids and OAPs

Wed 23rd December 2020

Children and older adults in Glasgow have been enjoying some special Christmas cheer this week, thanks to the Rangers Charity Foundation.

The Rangers First Team took some time out to virtually visit youngsters at the Royal Hospital for Children, before Foundation staff and volunteers delivered bespoke festive hampers to the doorsteps of local older residents.

The Rangers players, who would usually enjoy their annual visit to the wards at the children’s hospital this month, were instead able to talk to patients through Zoom. All the youngsters were also gifted special signed player photos.

The virtual visit formed part of the Rangers Charity Foundation’s long-standing partnership with the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and follows on from a special Christmas Jumper Day held by the Club’s Academy and Women’s squads earlier this month.

Thanks to joint donations from the First Team, Women and Academy players, as well as the Foundation, over £10,000 was donated to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. The donation will fund iPads to help keep patients connected with their families during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the hospital’s main Christmas Tree, some Christmas decorations and more.

Shona Cardle, CEO, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity said: “It was an absolute pleasure to virtually welcome the Rangers players and the Rangers Charity Foundation to the hospital.

“The visit is always one of the highlights of the Christmas calendar, and the players certainly brought lots of smiles to the wards today, even though they couldn’t physically be there due to the restrictions.

“We are extremely grateful to the Club, the Foundation and the players for their generous and continued support of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.”

Elderly people living around Ibrox were also treated to a Christmas surprise this week when they received an unexpected delivery.

As the Foundation was unable to host its Festive Friends party at Ibrox this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff and volunteers dropped-off festive hampers to the doors of their intended guests instead.

Guests are usually invited to Ibrox from local care homes, sheltered housing and other organisations and the activity is supported by the SPFL Trust’s ‘Festive Friends’ initiative.  This year the Trust provided funding for the gifts for the hampers.

One local resident commented:

“You’ve made my day!  Thank you so much! I have hardly been out as I’ve not been keeping well.  This is a lovely surprise.”

The Foundation’s Christmas calendar would also usually include a ‘Dream Fund Christmas Party’ at Ibrox for children living through difficult circumstances such as a life-limiting illness or homelessness. However, this year each child was instead sent a very special video message from Rangers FC’s Nathan Patterson. 

Rangers Charity Foundation Director, Connal Cochrane, said: “At the end of what has been an extremely difficult year, we are glad to be able to bring some festive cheer to local children and adults.

“Although we would have loved to welcome everyone to Ibrox, we hope these small gestures will remind everyone that the Rangers Family is always here for them.”

“I’d like to add a special thank you to Rangers Football Club and the SPFL Trust who have made these activities possible.

“We hope to see everyone for well-deserved Christmas celebrations in 2021!”

 

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