A coach at a Glasgow football academy is aiming to tackle homelessness by gathering warm clothing at training sessions.
On The Ball Academy, based in Scotstoun, has teamed up with West Dunbartonshire's Browns Vehicle Hire company to drive their campaign in supporting charities across Glasgow such as The Heart of Scotstoun and The City Mission Glasgow.
The academy founder Ryan Docherty will be collecting hats, gloves, and sleeping bags along with male and female toiletries on the club's training days, as well as at Glasgow Club Palace of the Arts and Jordanhill School up until December 21.
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The Browns Vehicle Hire team will then help to deliver to those in need in the run-up to Christmas.
Ryan said: “I have been working with various charities for over 10 years, and we recognise that homelessness remains a major challenge for the city.
"This year more than ever we are seeing a a real homeless epidemic in our city, the number of rough sleepers is on the rise and we want to support however we can.”
Founded in 2019, the footballing academy have helped deliver professional training to children of all ages and skill level across Glasgow, with the former Celtic captain Scott Brown praising the set-up along with Chelsea FC Striker Erin Cuthbert and former Celtic player Owen Moffat.
Ryan added: "Since we launched On The Ball Academy in 2019 we have prioritised support organisations such as Glasgow City Mission to try and support their efforts in helping vulnerable people.
"I have expanded our efforts and now involve the children who train with us, to help deliver and fundraise for those in need."
Julie Brown, founder of Browns Vehicle Hire, added: “As a parent, it really resonated with me that Ryan involves young willing children to help with the On The Ball Academy Christmas Fundraising Activity.
"We supply local people with easy and convenient van hire, and I have been racking my brain for ways to support the people in our community that need us most this Christmas.
"We help our clients with logistics across the city year every day and I can’t think of a better way than to drive and provide the vans for Ryan and his team to deliver their charitable donations this Christmas.
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