A GRASSROOTS football club in Glasgow's Southside is urging the footballing world in Scotland to set the example and donate to humanitarian appeals in Ukraine. 

Hillwood Football Club, together with the Hillwood Community Trust, has donated £200 to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal set up by the British Red Cross.

Now Willie Smith, who chairs both organisations, is calling for more clubs across the country to do the same. 

Glasgow Times: Willie Smith is the chairman of Hillwood FC and Hillwood Community Trust in Glasgow.Willie Smith is the chairman of Hillwood FC and Hillwood Community Trust in Glasgow. (Image: Newsquest, Colin Mearns)

He said: "All football clubs have got a responsibility to assist and raise funds to support the safe passage and health of the people of Ukraine to places of safety.

"If grassroots football clubs like us are prepared to take on this challenge and raise some money, members of the Scottish FA should be setting the example and do the same."

Willie, who has supported thousands of Glasgow youngsters since forming the club in 1966, said the thought of millions of children being robbed of their childhood pushed him to launch the appeal.

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He said: "Seeing those children that would normally be playing football or other sports getting caught in the war, made homeless, and even killed is gut-wrenching.

"We wanted to do something that, even if in a small way, could bring a little relief to these kids, so each of my organisations has donated £100 to the Red Cross appeal."

With the cost-of-living crisis now raging through the UK, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many grassroots football clubs in Scotland are struggling, said Willie. 

Glasgow Times: Willie Smith pictures at Inchinnan Playing Fields, Renfrew. He is calling for the footballing world in Scotland to donate to Ukraine humanitarian appeals.Willie Smith pictures at Inchinnan Playing Fields, Renfrew. He is calling for the footballing world in Scotland to donate to Ukraine humanitarian appeals.

He added: "I appreciate that we're going through a crisis right now and some grassroots clubs will be able to afford this and some won't, and that's okay.

"Many families can no longer afford the costs of getting their children coached, with the rising price of electricity, petrol and all the rest.

"So we understand that there are clubs who won't be able to make a contribution to the Ukraine appeal, as much as they would want to do, but we would look to those clubs who can."

Last week, Celtic FC Foundation announced it had made a £10,000 donation to the Scottish Refugee Council supporting refugees coming to Scotland from Ukraine.

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At the beginning of March, Hibernian FC supporters started helping Ukrainian orphans flee the country through the Dnipro Kids charity.

Dnipro were Hibs' UEFA Cup opponents in September 2005 and a handful of supporters had organised a charitable collection for local orphans.

Hearts announced they would make a donation to the 'Hanlon Stevenson Foundation' - formed by Hibs stars Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson - which has a JustGiving fundraiser with proceeds going to the Dnipro Kids charity.

Any grassroots clubs wishing to receive more information about raising money for Ukraine can leave a message on hillwoodcommunitytrust.org.

Anyone who wishes to donate to the DEC Ukraine HUmanitarian Appeal can do so here.