News

Ant Middleton accepts Armed Forces Cheque with Jamie Murphy

Mon 13th May 2019

The Rangers Charity Foundation yesterday (12 May 2019) donated £12,000 to three services-related charities as part of the Foundation’s Armed Forces Fund for season 2018/19. 

Former Royal Marines Commando Ant Middleton, known for his role in SAS: Who Dares Wins, accepted the cheque on behalf of Poppyscotland, SSAFA and The Coming Home Centre in Govan from Foundation Trustee, Naval Commander John Livesey and Rangers FC player, Jamie Murphy.

Each of the three charities received £4,000 as part of the Foundation’s Armed Forces Fund, and a further discretionary fund was available throughout the season to support other local grassroots projects aimed at veterans and serving personnel, with Veterans First Point Lanarkshire receiving new football strips and equipment for their team thanks to the initiative.

This latest donation takes the Foundation’s donations to services-related charities to date to over £180,000, as well as significant in-kind support. 

Ant Middleton, who is also an official SSAFA Ambassador, commented: “It’s brilliant. Any money to support our veterans and the military is a great token of appreciation. Especially coming from the military myself, I appreciate and know the help that a cheque for £12,000 will do.

“It’s brilliant to be here today to accept the cheque on behalf of the Armed Forces and SSAFA, which I am an Ambassador for – I know they’ll be over the moon, as I am.

“What Rangers do for the military is outstanding and that’s why I’m here to show my full support.”

Jamie Murphy said: “I’m delighted to help the Foundation celebrate these donations to SSAFA, The Coming Home Centre and Poppyscotland. Once again the fans have been tremendously generous in their support. 

“The Club, supporters and Foundation have always had a special relationship with the armed forces and this latest donation shows our ongoing commitment to supporting our troops and veterans.”

Gordon Michie, from Poppyscotland, added: “This generous donation from the Rangers Charity Foundation will make a life-changing difference to the members of the Armed Forces community who we support. From those who fought on the beaches of Normandy to those still bravely serving in our Armed Forces today, Poppyscotland provides vital, practical support when it is needed and for as long as it takes.

“We have benefitted greatly from the support of the Foundation over many years and we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed again this season.”

Poppyscotland provides tailored support and funding to thousands of ex-Servicemen and women as well as other vital services in advice, employment, mobility, respite, housing and mental health support.

The Coming Home Centre based in Govan, close to Ibrox Stadium, aims to serve those who have served, offering practical help and advice to veterans and a place to meet and enjoy peer support and camaraderie.  

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, provides lifelong support to serving personnel, veterans and their families.  The donation from the Foundation will allow SSAFA Glasgow to continue to offer friendly guidance to veterans and their families including access to financial assistance, advice on personal affairs and special equipment for those with disabilities.

This season’s Armed Forces Fund was also supported via a personal challenge by the Rangers Charity Foundation’s Director, Connal Cochrane. Connal walked a blistering 54 miles in just over 19 hours, with members of the Royal Scottish Regiment, on Thursday 2 May.

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