Alzheimer Scotland has received £25,000 on behalf of the Rangers Charity Foundation
Alzheimer Scotland has scored a £25,000 donation thanks to a tie up with one of the country’s biggest football clubs.
The dementia care organisation was the national charity partner of Rangers' Charity Foundation for season 2015/16.
Three of the charity’s vital projects - the 24 Hour Dementia Helpline, the Dementia Friends initiative and the Football Memories Project - will be funded by the donation.
Receiving a cheque from Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday, Rachel Smith, head of corporate partnerships at Alzheimer Scotland, said the partnership had not only raised money but also vital awareness.
We are grateful to Rangers supporters and to the Rangers Charity Foundation for all their support over the past year
“We are grateful to Rangers supporters and to the Rangers Charity Foundation for all their support over the past year to help us tackle dementia and raise this valuable contribution,” she said.
“Every three seconds, someone in the world develops dementia. As well as raising awareness of our services including the 24-hour dementia helpline and of our flagship dementia friends movement, we set out to encourage more people to talk and get informed about dementia and take action to help raise vital funds.
“We have been delighted with the partnership and thank everyone involved for supporting our goal to make sure nobody faces dementia alone.”
Throughout the course of the season, which finished in May, Rangers players promoted the charity with fans and the general public on a number of occasions including organising a special video with first team players to raise awareness of dementia and encouraging staff and supporters to become Dementia Friends.
The club also promoted dementia facts on social media and arranged a ‘matchday takeover’ which included a can collection, distribution of information leaflets and posters and adverts featured throughout Ibrox Stadium and in the matchday programme.
Halliday said he was delighted to be involved. “Dementia is something that touches so many lives so it’s great that the fans have backed the foundation’s partnership with Alzheimer Scotland this season and made this donation possible.
“I know supporters have signed up in their hundreds to take on challenges such as the True Blue Hero Fun Run and have also attended foundation events and done dozens of other things to help.”
Connal Cochrane, director of the Rangers Charity Foundation, added: “The special charity partnership approach we have at the Rangers Charity Foundation is something we are very proud of and I am delighted that we have been able to assist Alzheimer Scotland in so many ways."
