Rangers fans raise £60,000 for homeless people in Glasgow

A group of Rangers fans have raised around £60,000 for people experiencing homelessness in Glasgow after holding one of the Rangers Charity Foundation’s Big Ibrox Sleep Outs at Govan stadium.

Rangers fans raise £60,000 for homeless people in Glasgow

Rangers Charity Foundation members

Half of the money went towards the Glasgow City Mission’s Winter Night Shelter.

The donations meant the East Campbell Street shelter could stay open later into March when it would have otherwise been forced to close its doors.

The group of fundraisers were able to witness the impact of their actions first hand, after spending two weeks volunteering at the shelter before its closure on March 18th.

The Scottish Government ordered that the shelter be closed last Wednesday after a staff member and guest both tested positive for coronavirus.

However, the foundation’s funding means that staff will continue to be paid for the entire month of March and can support guests as much as possible and through existing services, including trying to find them alternative accommodation, as well as giving out hats, scarves and gloves. Some have already been provided with temporary hotel accommodation. 

Rangers fans raise £60,000 for homeless people in Glasgow

To celebrate the achievements of the Big Ibrox Sleep Out fundraisers, and gain a better understanding of the impact they’ve made, some took it in turns to volunteer at the night shelter’s morning shifts; helping to serve breakfast and clear beds.

Some service users have already been provided with temporary hotel accommodation.

Shelter bosses have hailed the fundraising efforts of the Rangers fans as life-saving.

Jack Geddes, marketing and fundraising manager at Glasgow City Mission, commented: “We continue to be amazed and humbled by the commitment shown by the Rangers Charity Foundation and the Rangers fans for the night shelter. Again the money raised ensures that we were able to open for four months instead of three.”

Rangers fans raise £60,000 for homeless people in Glasgow

On the completion of the two weeks, Connal Cochrane, Rangers Charity Foundation director, joined the volunteers and helped to officially present the donation to Glasgow City Mission.

He said: “Seeing our fundraisers so passionately support the night shelter was an extremely proud moment for me.

“We were delighted to host more ‘Big Ibrox Sleep Outs’ than ever in 2019 and participants raised an incredible £60,000 – half of which ensures that the night shelter is able to remain open in a month when the weather is still very cold and guests are able to benefit from a free, warm place to sleep with food.

“The other £30,000 ensures that we are able to continue to act as a force for good on behalf of the Rangers Family, both locally and across the globe. I cannot thank our fundraisers enough for their continued and unwavering support.

“We at the Foundation remain in contact with Glasgow City Mission and wish to express our solidarity towards their important work at this challenging time.”

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