News

Steven Gerrard & James Tavernier helped the Rangers Charity Foundation mark donations to veterans’ charities Erskine, The Coming Home Centre and AA Veterans Support (AAVS).  Each charity received £5,000 as part of the Foundation’s Armed Forces Partnership for season 2017/18, taking the Foundation’s donations to services-related charities to date to over £168,000.

James Tavernier commented: “I’m delighted to help the Foundation celebrate these donations to Erskine, The Coming Home Centre and AA Veterans Support today.

“Thank you to all the fans who have been so generous in their support of the Rangers Charity Foundation this season, making these donations possible and allowing these amazing charities to continue the good work they are doing in Scotland and Northern Ireland with our veterans.”

Sara Bannerman, Head of External Relations at Erskine added: “We are extremely grateful to the Rangers Charity Foundation for their donation of £5,000 towards activities and materials for the Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre.  

“This support will make a significant impact to the lives of 65 veterans who now use this service on a regular basis since the Centre opened in January 2018.  Funding such as this allows us to introduce new activities including a Walking Group, History/Reminisce Group, Model Making, Photography and a Fishing Club.  It also allows us to buy materials for Art, Woodwork, Holistic Therapies and Woodcraft.”

Foundation Director Connal Cochrane commented: “Rangers FC and the Foundation have a long and proud history of support for the armed services, including hosting Armed Forces Day and Remembrance events at Ibrox every year and supporting a range of services-related charities. 

“We were particularly honoured last season to receive the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme’s Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence for our work in this area and today’s donations are just one part of our ongoing commitment to veterans and serving personnel.”

AAVS provides vital services to those who serve or have served in the British Armed Forces and their families throughout Northern Ireland. The charity provides respite, treatment, training and welfare assistance and has established Northern Ireland’s first dedicated drop-in training and treatment centre, which provides advice and guidance, training, counselling and more all under one roof.

The Coming Home Centre in Govan caters for the needs of all veterans, offering a wide range of support and advice.  Its drop-in centre provides a place for veterans to get together, enjoy lunch or a cup of tea, and talk with their peers.

Erskine provides care for veterans and their spouses, offering nursing, residential, respite and dementia care in four homes throughout Scotland.

Over the last five years the Foundation has been involved in a number of initiatives with Erskine, including purchasing electric profiling beds for residents and a specially adapted minibus, refurbishing the Royal Scots Shop and contributing to the charity’s Centenary Garden project.  This latest donation is purchasing equipment for Erskine’s new Activity Centre, which will allow the charity to engage with veterans who are not living in long-term residential care.