News

Rangers players Youssef Chermiti, Nico Raskin, Leah Eddie and Katie Wilkinson joined Rangers Charity Foundation Chief Executive Connal Cochrane to celebrate the Foundation reaching the milestone of donating over £7 million in cash and in-kind donations since the charity’s inception.

Thanks to the amazing support of Rangers FC and Rangers fans everywhere, the Foundation has been able to make a lasting difference to a range of charities, grassroots projects and other good causes, creating a significant legacy in the community, nationally and globally.

Nico Raskin commented:

“This is a fantastic milestone for everyone associated with the Foundation.  Since I came to Rangers, I’ve been involved in a few events for the Foundation, including Dream Days and True Blue Hero nights, and I’m really proud of the work the Foundation does and the huge support the fans give to the charity.”

In addition to the Foundation’s own wide-ranging work in the community, every year it also selects charities to work with, which receive both financial and in-kind support. The Foundation has partnered with a range of organisations focused on causes such as homelessness, mental health, illness, disability, health improvement, young people and cancer care.

Some of these partnerships have been long-term, such as working for 16 years with UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s charity. The Foundation donated a total of £775,000 over the years to a variety of projects with UNICEF to create a significant, lasting legacy, including refurbishing health care centres in Togo, West Africa, paying for 1 million vaccines for some of the world’s most vulnerable children and responding to emergency situations such as war, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity has been another long-term partner, with donations totaling over £103,000 in addition to in-kind support.  The donations have brought the magic of Christmas to the wards over many years, as well as funding pieces of medical equipment, the Family Bereavement Service, the MediCinema, toys, treats and more.

Kirsten Watson, Chief Executive at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, commented: “The Foundation has supported Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity since the very beginning, and we’re honoured to be part of such an incredible milestone.

“We’re very grateful for the continuing support from The Foundation and those who have donated so generously to the charity over the years, which allows us to support the families of children and young people being treated in the Royal Hospital for Children.”

Services-related causes have been at the heart of the Foundation’s work since its inception and over £260,000 in cash has been donated to Armed Forces charities, as well as significant in-kind support.  Erskine, ABF The Soldiers Charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, Combat Stress, SSAFA, Community Veterans Support and Bravehound have been just some of the beneficiaries.

Damian Doran-Timson, Poppyscotland’s Corporate Fundraiser, stated: “The Foundation does amazing work with the Armed Forces community in Scotland and has been incredibly supportive of Poppyscotland, which helps us to deliver welfare and support to veterans and their families in need.

“This support has continued for many years. Our partnership hasn’t just been about receiving a donation, we work together across multiple initiatives, and the Foundation really supports our ethos and goals in so many ways.

“We couldn’t be more grateful for the support of the Club, Foundation and fans over so many years.”

One of the Foundation’s first ever partnerships in 2002 was with Shelter, and homelessness has remained a key focus. The Foundation has worked with Glasgow City Mission for 11 years on projects addressing the causes and effects of homelessness, as well with Simon Community Scotland.

Over £408,000 has been donated in total to homeless charities to date, which has had a huge impact across Scotland. The Glasgow Winter Night Shelter and subsequently the Overnight Welcome Centre, which provide accommodation for rough sleepers during the coldest months, have been able to stay open for an additional month over many years thanks to donations. Hot meal provision and support services designed to end the cycle of homelessness by getting people into permanent accommodation have also received significant funding.

Simon Community Scotland’s Murray Easton commented: “The support of the Rangers Charity Foundation has been incredible. More people in Scotland are homeless now than ever before, and we are on the frontline of that. Plus, the support we get is not just financial, it’s also about awareness, and that’s really important.”

The Foundation’s partnership with The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice was also significant and created a lasting legacy right on the doorstep of Ibrox Stadium. The Foundation supported the Hospice at its previous location at Carlton Place and was one of the first partners on board during the development of the new Hospice within Bellahouston Park, donating £100,000 to create the Family Lounge within the facility.

Connal Cochrane, Rangers Charity Foundation Chief Executive commented: “We couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved over the last 23 years with our charity partners, and with the grassroots organisations we also support via our Discretionary Fund, which we use to help out smaller local projects.

“When I look back over the range of projects we have funded and hear from previous partners about the difference our help continues to make to thousands of people, I hope everyone in the Rangers Family who has supported us over the years will feel very proud about what we have accomplished together.”

The Foundation, with the Club’s strong backing, also helps others raise money for causes close to their own hearts by supplying signed merchandise, tours and other prizes, as well as helping out community groups with tickets and Stadium and Museum tours.

Over the years the Foundation has responded to around 70,000 requests for help from the public and has been able to help in over 90% of these.

Connal Cochrane commented: “The ripple effect of the benefits from these donations is something that we just can’t quantify. By donating prizes, we help so many people raise funds for charities and good causes that mean a great deal to them, and we regularly hear back about the big difference it makes to their fundraising.

“Ticket and tour donations also have a huge impact, with care home residents, veterans, young people in care and people experiencing homelessness benefitting, to name just a few. We receive so many e-mails and letters saying how much the experience meant to them.”

“We have always been a force for good, and this significant milestone is just one example of the scale and strength of our work, thanks to the unique charitable spirit of the whole Rangers Family.”