Tag: charity football match

Goal reached as The Big Match raises £20,000

Businesses from across Edinburgh came together recently to play in the second annual Big Match, raising £20,000 for The Yard.

Celebrity chef Tom Kitchin and former Hibs star Darren Dods were among those in action at Ainslie Park as the business community rallied round to support the day.

“It’s been an incredible effort from everyone and the total of £20,000 is amazing,” said organiser Steve Currie, of Murray and Currie Property in the Capital.

“It was such a great day and I was delighted to reach our goal this year with all the money raised going to The Yard, which does such a fantastic job for young disabled people and their families.”

The Yard, which is based in the centre of Edinburgh with other locations in Dundee and Kirkcaldy, offers disabled youngsters and their families the chance to experience creative and adventurous indoor and outdoor play in a well-supported environment.

Chief executive Celine Sinclair, added: “On behalf of our entire team at The Yard, well done to everyone who took part in The Big Match and a huge thank you to Murray and Currie and everyone who donated. 

“This donation is hugely appreciated and will go towards helping even more of the families, young people and children that we support.”

Thoughts have already turned to next year’s event, which will once again take place at Ainslie Park with a confirmed date of Friday, 7 March 2025.

Tomorrow: Businesses team up for Big Match charity clash at Ainslie Park

Businesses from across Edinburgh come together to raise money for The Yard

Businesses from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are teaming up this week to raise money in the second annual Big Match charity fixture.

Some of the city’s prominent private banks, legal firms, finance brokers, property developers and estate agents will be among those running out at Ainslie Park on Friday afternoon in a bid to raise as much cash as possible for The Yard, which runs adventure play services for disabled children, young people and their families in the east of Scotland.

Former Hibs star Darren Dods and ex-Dundee defender Matt Lockwood will also be pulling on a strip, as will celebrity chef Tom Kitchin as Commercial City take on Residential United.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural The Big Match, where Edinburgh’s property sector came together in aid of the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal, Friday’s event has again been organised by Steve Currie of Murray and Currie Property in the capital.

Steve Currie said: “I’d like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who has made this possible.

“I’m delighted The Big Match is now an official charity after our successful application to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). 

“We have secured the services of our loyal supporters and partners to achieve this status and ensure the charity is reputable, credible, ethical, and professional in delivering all its objectives. It’s been a team effort from everyone. 

“Friday promises to be a great occasion which will raise vital money for The Yard which offers disabled children and young people and their families the chance to experience creative and adventurous indoor and outdoor play in a well-supported environment.

“It’s particularly exciting to have former professional players Darren Dods and Matt Lockwood taking part, while I’m sure Tom Kitchin will be demonstrating some tasty touches as well!”

Celine Sinclair is chief executive of The Yard, which is based in the centre of Edinburgh with other sites in Dundee and Kirkcaldy, and she said: “We are incredibly grateful to be chosen as a charity partner for The Big Match, the money raised will go a long way towards helping us deliver vital services for disabled children and their families.  

“We directly support over 2300 children and young people from 16 different local authorities, and are reliant on fundraising as well as governmental support. A huge thank you to everyone who’s involved in this charity match, we’re hugely appreciative of the support.  And, good luck to the teams on Friday.”

Kick-off is 3.45pm and a Just Giving page has been set up for donations: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/steven-currie-1708676927412?newPage=true

Morrisons charity football match raises £832

The weather was awful, but Sunday night’s charity football match at Spartans between the two local Morrisons stores still raised an impressive £832.76

Congratulations to the organisers and to everyone who took part to help raise funds for SAMH and CLIC SARGENT.

The match result? On an evening better suited to water polo Ferry Road beat their Granton Waterfront rivals 4 – 0!

Pic Collage: Morrisons Granton

TONIGHT: Morrisons Charity Football Match

SUNDAY 4th AUGUST at 7pm

SPARTANS COMMUNITY FOOTBALL ACADEMY, AINSLIE PARK

Granton vs Ferry Road … The Rematch!

Ferry Road currently have ownership of the trophy, lets see if they can keep it!

11-a-side football match held at Spartans Football Club, Ainslie Park Stadium, 94 Pilton Drive, Edinburgh, EH5 2HF.

7pm kick-off!

Entry tickets are £2, with under 5’s free

There will also be a raffle drawn on the night. Tickets for this are £1 each

Entry & Raffle tickets available from Monday 8th July from the Granton store. Entry can also be paid at the gate on the night.

The club bar will be open till 10pm for snacks and refreshments.

All money raised will be split and donated to CLIC Sargent & SAMH

All set for Morrisons Charity rematch

CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH

in aid of CLIC Sargent & SAMH

MORRISONS GRANTON vs MORRISONS FERRY ROAD

SPARTANS AINSLIE PARK STADIUM

Sunday 4th August 7pm kick off

£2 entry – Under Fives free – pay on the night or buy tickets from Granton store

Raffle: £1 a ticket, buy on the night or from store

Join our community FB page @GrantonChampion to find out more

Dean raises charity funds to thank Royal’s Burns Unit

Dean Beggs was badly burned in a workplace accident back in January. NEN featured Dean’s story (see below) and he got back in touch this week to let readers know what he’s been up to – he’s been busy!: 

“My name is Dean Beggs. I was featured in one of your stories back in May. I was involved in a horrific work place accident.

“A gas bottle was connected to a burner and was placed inside a container which was then closed.I was unaware of this and opened the door, causing a backdraft. I was flung against another container across from me and knew instantly I was fighting for my life.

“I looked down and saw I had no sleeves, and knew that in order for anyone to see me I had to run about 20 to 30 feet to be in sight of my workmates.

“I was then forced to roll about in a mucky puddle to put out the flames as I was still on fire.

“This happened back on 7th January 7th.

“Since then, I have organised, alongside St. Peters, a charity football game for the Royal Infirmary Ward 45 Burns Unit. This raised £2404.49 for the unit which will go towards specialised equipment for patient rehabilitation that would not qualify for funding within their NHS budget.

“I hosted the match at Johnstone Sports Hub, it was not the nicest of days but despite this over 100 people turned up to watch and donate to the cause in the rain.

“I had taken sponsor sheets to local workplaces and amenities coilers Johnstone , McAlpines Johnstone , Tandoori Palace Linwood and Celmissa plant hire Johnstone and some overwhelming donations from workers came flooding in.

“I also set up a Just Giving page which raised £570.

“On the day of the match we had a Beat the Goalie as well, where kids lined up with their pockets full of change to give to the cause. It was such an amazing day for an amazing cause!”

Great stuff, Dean!

Burns victim thanks Scottish Ambulance Service