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Connor Goldson, who himself underwent major heart surgery in 2017, presented Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) with a cheque for £20,000 from the Foundation following our successful season-long partnership.

The partnership included many highlights, such as welcoming stroke survivors back to Ibrox for the first time since their illness, a CHSS matchday takeover in March at Ibrox, a clothing collection for the charity’s shops and Connor launching CHSS’s Health Defense initiative. 

Today’s £20,000 donation is the culmination of our year-long National Charity Partnership which will help to make sure people living with a chest or heart condition or after a stroke live their lives to the full.  The donation will fund 20 of the Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Rehabilitation Support Service volunteers, as well as 600 hours of its Advice Line service.

Connor commented:

“I’ve been delighted to get involved in this season’s partnership with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, particularly given my own history.  It’s a great thing that Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is doing in Glasgow. It’s so important for people to find out their health risks and make positive changes.”

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said “We are so grateful for all of the amazing support from Connor, the Rangers Charity Foundation and the fans.

“On top of this huge donation, they made dreams come true when they invited stroke survivor John onto the pitch at Ibrox.

“It was the first time he was back at the game after a serious stroke, and I know this memory will stay with him and his family forever.

“Everyone has the right to live life to the full and donations like this will make such a difference to people’s lives. It will help people like John do more than just survive – it well help them live.”

John Sangster, who returned to Ibrox three years after having a stroke, said: “I was really struggling after my stroke and I didn’t like being in big crowds, so that’s why I couldn’t see my favourite team play for many years.

“Returning to Ibrox after so long meant so much to me, especially with my daughter by my side. It was so emotional being on that pitch in the middle of it all – it’s something that you dream about as a kid and that feeling will stay with me for life.”

“I want to say a big thank you to Rangers, all the fans and to Bronwyn at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. You all helped me believe in myself and get me back to the game. I will never forget your kindness, generosity and care.”