Festive Friends
In conjunction with the SPFLTrust, Arbroath FC yesterday held a Festive Friends Lunch at Gayfield for 24 elderly people. The event was a great success and all those who came along enjoyed some excellent festive food and refreshments.
John Christison, Arbroath FC chairman, said: “Arbroath Football Club are extremely proud to support the SPFL Trust’s new Festive Friends project.
“We know there are many people in our community who will not have the benefit of a large family or access to a Christmas dinner this month. It is a privilege that we can welcome those people into our club and help give them a real day to remember.
“Festive Friends is another great example of the positive force that football can be in our society and everyone at Arbroath FC is committed to working in our community for the greater good. We wish all those people a very safe and happy Christmas.”
More about Festive Friends
Almost 500 elderly people across Scotland will receive a Christmas to remember thanks to 26 Scottish football clubs and their charity arms, in a new ‘Festive Friends’ project being facilitated by the SPFL Trust.
In another powerful demonstration of the positive impact football can make in local communities, 487 socially isolated older people have been invited to their local SPFL stadiums to enjoy a free Christmas meal, receive a gift and meet new friends including staff from the clubs.
The SPFL Trust – an independent, registered charity that works in partnership with all 42 SPFL Clubs to develop community activities across Scotland – officially announced the new project today with a number of clubs and charitable trusts having already hosted their Festive Friends events.
Nicky Reid, SPFL Trust General Manager, said: “The SPFL Trust recognises the difficulties that many older people face during the festive period and the impact this can have on their physical and mental health. Festive Friends is a very simple but hugely effective project which will allow clubs to make a real difference and provide a memorable day for hundreds of socially isolated elderly people across Scotland.
“Not only will these people receive support with transport to the stadium, enjoy a warm meal and be presented with a Christmas gift, there is also an immeasurable social benefit in meeting other people and making new friends within the community. It’s another example of the positive force of football. All clubs, trusts, charities and organisations involved should be congratulated for backing this new and important project which we have ambitions of growing in the future.”
Clubs and club trusts delivering Festive Friends, with SPFL Trust support, are: Aberdeen, Albion Rovers, Arbroath, Ayr United, Berwick Rangers, Brechin City, Celtic, Clyde, Cowdenbeath, Dundee, Dundee United, Dunfermline, East Fife, Elgin City, Falkirk, Hearts, Hibernian, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Kilmarnock, Livingston, Motherwell, Partick Thistle, Peterhead, Queen of the South, Raith Rovers and Ross County. Twenty of the 26 involved have their own charitable foundations which are playing a lead role in delivering the events.
