MEMBERS of a community football club have scored much-needed cash for a “vital” East End hub.
Kind-hearted players and coaches at Glasgow Saints have plenty to shout about after netting more than £3000 for the Everlasting Foodbank.
The Dennistoun pantry had its budget cut for providing free meals to young people out of school term due to the pandemic.
READ MORE: Dennistoun's Glasgow Saints put charity at heart of everything
Saints chairperson Emma Jones said: “When the Covid pandemic hit last year, it hit Glasgow hard.
“We found ourselves in the strictest tier of lockdown for what felt like the majority of the year.
“However, while national charities and support networks were pulling their services out, community groups were springing into action and Dennistoun’s community spirit ensured that essential wellbeing services continued for those in the area most in need of them.
“The Everlasting Foodbank has been a constant source of support for struggling families since 2014, and we at Glasgow Saints recognise the amazing work they do to help individuals and families through personal hardship, in an entirely dignified way.
“They exemplify what we believe to be the best of Dennistoun’s community spirit. So when Glasgow Saints sporting director Kyle Burgess became aware of budget cuts directly affecting the foodbank, and therefore hundreds of children in the East End, he didn’t think twice about coming up with an idea for a fundraiser. “
To coin in the cash, Saints first-team manager Iggi Keith has pledged to shave off his hair for the first time in years at the end of the month.
The money will then be used to feed around 170 youngsters during the Easter holidays and is the latest move by the Dennistoun club to show poverty the red card.
Emma added: “The support we have received has been overwhelming, and we are especially thankful to everyone who has donated, but we don’t plan to stop
there.
“The page will remain live until April 1, as intended, and we are very much hoping to [allow] for even more families to benefit from the work the foodbank does.”
In an update, Everlasting bosses said: “It is overwhelming to be able to announce that in less than a few days the high target we had set in order to run Kids Holiday Cafe this Easter break was achieved with the unbelievable support of our friends at Glasgow Saints FC and our volunteers.
“Thanks to everyone who donated as we could not have come close to achieving this without you.”
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