A HOSPITAL for sick kids has netted a bumper cash boost from kind-hearted football fans and a local charity.
The Glasgow Children's Hospital was handed a cheque for nearly £60,000 on Sunday by members of the Bridgeton Loyal Rangers Supporters Club and the Emmie Smillie Foundation.
It came after the Light Blues fans coined in thousands for a Red Arrows flypast to celebrate their team's league title win, but decided to split the money between the East End charity and veterans' group Erskine when that was ruled out by the RAF.
READ MORE: Glasgow Rangers fans score cash boost for charities after Red Arrows fundraiser
And in another twist, when the supporters handed over £28,000 to Emmie Smillie, the organisation's bosses doubled this to £55,000 – a nod to Rangers' 55th championship – and gave the cash to the hospital.
Lee Calder, secretary of the Bridgeton Gers group, said: "A lot of the boys on the bus know Andy [Smillie] and it's a cause close to their hearts.
"We are delighted to be able to hand this over and it was unbelievable to see our money doubled.
"It is going to help so many kids and their parents.
"We are delighted to have done this and it's incredible what the Rangers Family has been able to achieve.
"We'd like to thank everyone who supported us."
Bridgeton's members had originally hoped to secure a flypast over Ibrox, George Square, and their local area to mark the day Steven Gerrard's men clinched a first major title in a decade.
However, the RAF couldn't give it the go ahead but did praise the group for the money it had raised for the charities.
A spokeswoman from Emmie Smillie said: "The children need our help more than ever and we are happy to do our bit for such an outstanding charity as they try to make life better for children and families."
READ MORE: Rangers fans raise £55,000 for Red Arrows to fly over Ibrox to mark Premiership title
A spokesman from the hospital said: "This is an incredible amount of money and we thank everyone involved for their hard work and efforts."
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