News
Learning Disability Football Programme Appeal Sees Project Continue Into 2025
Fri 15th November 2024
The Rangers Charity Foundation is delighted to announce that our popular Count Me In programme will continue into 2025 thanks to an appeal at this year’s 80’s Charity Ball.
Count Me In is a bespoke project and provides access to football for young adults aged 16-24 with a learning disability.
Funding for this programme was originally generated from the Foundation’s 2022 appeal marking the Club’s 150th Anniversary and the project launched this season with an initial funded period from March to November.
Dozens of young adults have enjoyed the programme and made friends along the way. Parents and carers have also been able to make connections and enjoyed seeing their young people flourish.
One highlight this season, nine Count Me In participants were given the opportunity to travel to St. Gallen in Switzerland for a European Inclusion Tournament, facing teams like Chelsea and Fundacao Benfica and sharing facilities with elite players.
Charity Ball sponsors Richard and Julie Martin very generously paid for the squad’s travel to and from the continent.
With the project drawing to a close, we sought the help of our 2024 Charity Ball attendees to keep the project going in order to be able to continue this popular programme.
We are delighted to say that thanks to an overwhelming response on the night, we are able to continue Count Me In throughout 2025 and into 2026 with a grand total of 50 sessions being funded by those in the room.
The Foundation’s Fundraising and Partnership’s Manager, Allison Forsyth, said:
“I would like to thank each and every person who committed to sponsoring a Count Me In session. The support is humbling and we are delighted that we are now in a position to continue this very important project.
“We enjoyed hearing from regular participant Hugo’s dad Daren at the Charity Ball about the positive impact this programme has made for their whole family.
“We are really grateful for the pledges from our generous friends and supporters to ensure this programme continues to grow and have a positive impact on as many young people as possible.”
Count Me In is open to anyone aged 16-25 with a learning disability. Sessions will stop in November 2024 but will restart in March 2025 and take place at the Ibrox Community Complex, 80 Hinshelwood Drive, G51 2XP.
To find out more or to sign up for Count Me In or register your interest, please contact the Foundation on: rangerscharity@rangers.co.uk or 0141 580 8775
If you or your business would be interested in supporting Count Me In or any of other life-changing programmes and initiatives, please contact Allison Forsyth at aforsyth@rangers.co.uk
