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This Saturday the Foundation is celebrating its partnership with Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland at the game against Kilmarnock with a series of matchday activities.

John Sangster, a Rangers fan who suffered a stroke back in 2016, will make an emotional return to Ibrox for the first time since his illness, and will come out onto the pitch at half time to receive a warm welcome from the Ibrox crowd.

John, who was welcomed to the Hummel Training Centre by Andy Halliday on Friday 15 March, has been supported by CHSS to help him recover his confidence and is now ready to get back to Ibrox to watch his beloved Rangers as a guest of the Club and Foundation.

The players will warm up in official CHSS t-shirts and in the Fan Zone CHSS will be doing free blood pressure checks, gentle physical activity sessions and stroke workshop activities.

There will also be a can collection for CHSS at the turnstiles and information on the Jumbotron screens and in the matchday programme about stroke, heart health and CHSS’s advice line.

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Seeing John return to his beloved Ibrox will be absolutely fantastic. Watching him get back to doing what he loves, grow in confidence and reach his goals is what our work is all about. We want to make sure people like John live their lives to the full.

“We want to say a huge thank you to the Rangers Charity Foundation, the team and their fans for all the support they have shown us over the last year. Thanks to their fundraising efforts, kind donations and encouragement we are able to help people like John rebuild their lives after a stroke or diagnosis of a chest or heart condition.”

Foundation Director Connal Cochrane added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming John along to the game tomorrow, and I know it means so much to him to be coming back to Ibrox. The support of Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland over the last few years have made this possible for him, and we are delighted to be able to raise awareness and help such a worthwhile cause by fundraising to support the CHSS Advice Line and Rehabilitation Support Service.” 

The Foundation pledged at the start of the season to raise £20,000 for CHSS to support 20 of the charity’s Rehabilitation Support Service volunteers and fund 600 hours of its Advice Line service.

CHSS cares for and supports people and their families after a stroke, or diagnosis of a chest or heart condition. From helping stroke survivors rebuild their confidence and learn new skills to ensuring people with chronic respiratory and heart conditions find a lifeline through its vital services, CHSS is focused on making sure that everyone gets the support they need to live life to the full.

The charity’s Rehabilitation Support Service provides advice, information and practical help and support to people and their families through one-to-one and group support in the community. Its Advice Line is a free, confidential service staffed by specialist nurses who provide support and information for people living with lung disease, heart disease and stroke.

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