Mrs Elaine Derrick of The Viceroy Bar in Kinning Park today supplied the RSEA with two Heart Start Defibrillators for the Erskine Home in memory of her late Husband, Peter.
Colin Mcphail from Erskine’s fundraising department was on hand to receive the two vital lifesaving machines for the Veteran’s Charity.
The RSEA also made a donation of enough money to allow Erskine to buy a further 4 defibrillators.
By coincidence, The Viceroy Bar was once called Club 22 and was owned by the 5th Gallant Pioneer, the Rangers Legend that was Tom Vallance.
RSEA President, Gordon Smith, met with Andy Baird and some of the team who took part in the recent Andy Baird 4x4x48 Challenge.
Andy’s original plan to compete the challenge which consists of an individual running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours was dealt a blow when he was diagnosed with a previously undiagnosed heart issue which meant he could not do the challenge himself.
Andy said “The 4x4x48 is regarded as the ultimate physical and mental challenge anyone can take part in. I was devastated when I spoke with my doctor and found out I would not be able to take part. When I told my friends and family they stepped up and volunteered to run a leg of the challenge, some were greedy and ran more than once.”
Gordon Smith – “As a keen runner myself it’s great that Andy was able to put together a challenge that encouraged physical fitness as well as raising money for two causes close to all our hearts, Erskine and Rangers Youth Development. Thanks go out to all of Andy’s friends who made the 4x4x48 happen and to all those who took part in the Fit for 55 events.”
Colin Stewart: Director of RYDC – “I can only imagine how tough a 4x4x48 challenge is both mentally and physically. It was a shame that Andy was ultimately unable to complete the challenge himself but without his volunteering in the first place together with the RSEA Fit for 55 events, the funds raised would not have taken place. I would like to pay a personal thank you to everyone who took part and helped to raise the valuable funds in support of both Erskine and the Rangers Youth Development Co. Well done everyone”
The 4x4x48 Challenge and the RSEA Fit for 55 events raised over £3,000.00 which was split between Erskine and The Rangers Youth Development Company with each benefitting by over £1,500.00.
What the runners thought;
Craig Thomson – “I was keen to get involved and test myself not being a runner and also doing it for a great cause. It was great to be part of the team that did it”
Martyn Ely – “I found the night time stages harder than I expected (midnight and 0400) as trying to get back to sleep whilst your heart it still pumping is difficult. Even the sheep I was trying to count were still running. But all in all a very enjoyable weekend and glad we were able to raise some money and make a difference”
Richard Bell – “Great weekend and well organised across various locations on a national level whilst raising money for important causes. After a very difficult 12- 18 months in the world, it was fantastic to be involved in something meaningful. Encouragement and support from all was immense and kept everyone going.”
Ally Gourlay – “I took up a slot for Andy, know how much it hurts him that he couldn’t participate. Fitness has been his life (after Rangers!) for the last few years and he would have loved to challenge himself in this way. I had to stop jogging in November 2020 due to being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I was been taking anti-inflammatory pills for two months and had only done a couple runs in preparation. It was difficult push for me and since then the foot had stopped me doing any sports again but absolutely it was worth doing for Andy. I enjoyed the experience greatly, everyone in our WhatsApp group was friendly and supportive and I couldn’t imagine how difficult the night runs would be, hats off to those guys.”
Barry Hope – “I’m not necessarily a keen runner, however when I was asked to participate in the fundraising for a very worthwhile cause I was more than happy to dig out the old running trainers. A massive well done to everyone involved and to all who donated.”
William Maxwell – “I was devastated when Andy told me about the sudden change to his life. I will always there to help and support him.
After he informed me the charity event was going ahead and I would still be taking part with my midnight leg of the race I was well chuffed. Don’t get me wrong it was a hard old slog doing 4miles at midnight. Especially when you’re unfit and a tad heavy.
It was great to raise money for the charities and hopefully the money that got raised went a long way to helping others.”
Stevie Robertson – “I really enjoyed the challenge of the event, i was gutted when I found out that Andy couldn’t do it which made me more determind to help out. I enjoyed the ‘friendly competetive’ side of the event trying to beat the others times, even if I lost out on a technicality at the end well done to everyone for a great cause ”
Sophie – “I’m a casual jogger and hadn’t run any distance in a while. But when I heard that Andy was looking for folk to help run a leg, I knew that I would step up and give it a shot. Thankfully had a couple of weeks notice to get in some practice runs and ended up running a sub-50min which is a very good time for me. I’m glad I did it, and it spurred me on to get out a bit more often, even if only for short distances. Well done to the whole team – great effort!”
Jamie – “It may have only been 4 miles, but it was quite a personal challenge to run 2 miles let alone 4. So I was pleased to complete it and get a good time. It was great that we could chip in and do a run on Andy’s behalf.”
Congratulations to Pat from Kilwinning who was the winner of the signed 55 Champions disc. We raised over £5,000 which will go to providing heart defibrillators around the Erskine homes.
We were delighted to present Erskine with a handwritten version of The Poppy, written by the poet Paul Hunter, the poem was illustrated by his wife Shiela and was unveiled by Erskine Chief Executive Wing Commander Ian Cumming and Rangers Managing Director Stewart Robertson. We had two originals produced and Erskine presented one to Rangers as a thank you for the funds raised by the Rangers support.
Rangers Managing Director Stewart Robertson is presented with a token of gratitude from Erskine chief executive Wing Commander Ian Cumming, in the form of a unique illustration of the poem ‘The Poppy’, following fundraising efforts of over £1 million from the club’s supporters.
The pair are joined by poet Paul Hunter, who penned the moving piece in 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, his wife Sheila, who beautifully illustrated Paul’s work, as well as Rangers Supporters Erskine Appeal (RSEA) secretary Tom Clark.
The charity has gifted the memento to the Ibrox side as a thank you to the club’s support since RSEA fundraising efforts began in 2007.
The RSEA also presented a second illustration of the poem to Erskine, to mark more than £1 million being raised by the group for the Veterans’ charity, which was unveiled inside its Bishopton care home.
Paul’s poem passionately speaks of what the poppy means, while serving as a heartfelt reminder that we must never forget fallen Veterans.
RSEA, the brainchild of Rangers fan Tom, was launched to raise vital funds for Erskine’s specialist care of Veterans and their families. The group have since contributed to countless projects for residents living in Erskine’s four care homes, including a Sporting Memories room, Reminiscence room, Namaste room and Bridge Activities room.
Tom Clark, RSEA secretary, said: “We view Paul’s poem as a fitting gift following years of fundraising as it epitomises everything that we do for Erskine. We are here to help support our nation’s heroes – servicemen and women who deserve to be honoured following years of service protecting each and every one of us. It is fantastic to see representatives of Erskine, Rangers and the RSEA all together to unveil and gift these poems, as we continue to work together to support this worthy cause.”
Paul Hunter said: “My wife, Sheila, and I are both delighted and truly honoured to see our work unveiled inside the home and also presented as a gift to Rangers. We have been long admirers of the RSEA’s fundraising efforts for Erskine, and it is with great pleasure to see the poem continue to resonate with so many. The Poppy was written to serve as a reminder as to why the poppy exists, and why we should continue to honour our fallen heroes. We just want it to be seen for what it was intended, simply as a badge of honour and respect.”
Stewart Robertson, Rangers Managing Director, said: “The hard-work and endeavour of the Rangers Supporters Erskine Appeal is a credit to our entire support. Reaching over £1 million in fundraising efforts is a stunning achievement and all for a fantastic charity. Erskine goes above and beyond to ensure that our ex-servicemen and women are looked after with the highest quality of care and is a charity that we are proud to support.
“We accept this gift from Erskine with immense pride and look forward to many more years of friendship between our two organisations. We thank Paul and Sheila for producing such a wonderful piece of artwork and poetry.”
Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Erskine chief executive, said: “Presenting Rangers Football Club with this stunning piece of artwork and poetry is a small token of our gratitude for over a decade of support from the club’s fans. We are forever indebted to them and are enormously grateful for the continued backing from the Rangers Supporters Erskine Appeal and their tireless fundraising efforts.”
Jim Clark took part in the Kiltwalk last year and raised enough money for Erskine to buy a hybrid car to help take the residents around. Jim is pictured here with Erskine Chief Executive Ian Cumming and two happy residents!
Today, our Lady President, Harold Davis’ widow, Vi, visited Erskine Park at Bishopton, to present the Dementia Unit staff with a cheque for £10,000 on behalf of the Rangers Supporters Erskine Appeal.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support the work of the RSEA
This money will be used for the direct benefit of the Erskine Park residents via activities projects.
The 2021 Craig MacInnes Memorial Lawn Bowls Tournament took place on Saturday 4th September at Partick Bowling Club. Congratulations to JHD Safety Services in winning this year’s tournament. A fantastic day was had by all. Huge thanks to our sponsors Craig Sutcliffe and all at Vital Human Resources and all the advertisers in the programme for supporting us once again. A rather stupendous £7800 was raised for the Erskine Glasgow Home to assist in the care of veterans in the dedicated dementia unit. A huge team effort all round.
As part of the fundraising for the event, Iain Macinnes donated Marvin Andrew’s match worn jersey from Helicopter Sunday.
and the fun didn’t stop there, a few weeks after the bowls Iain and his team were back with a Stars in their eyes event which raised over £1,000.
A fantastic effort by everyone involved both in organising and taking part. The RSEA are delighted that the bowls day and its associated fundraising for Erskine are firmly back on the RSEA Calendar post covid.
Overall – S. Neilson, R Dow, B, Perry, S McDerrmott
Wooden Spoon – A Burns, R Reid, D Freeland, D Welsh
Longest Drive 12th Gents – D Patterson
Longest Drive 17th Ladies – C. Ffinch
Nearest Pin 2nd – C McLachlin
Nearest Pin 15th – J Hardacre
Ladies Team – C Finch, L Hutton E McDonald, E Morgan
Complementary Raffle – B Anderson
The RSEA would like to thank all those who took part, donated their time or a prize, and the members and staff at Callander Golf Club for all their help
The Rangers Supporters Erskine Appeal Golf day has been held at Callander Golf Club for the past 2 years and continues to grow both in size and stature.
During the inaugural year there were 72 golfers who travelled from all over Scotland to play. In the 2nd year we attracted 135 players on the day who came from as far as Largs and Reading in the Southern part of England.
Our first Golf Day saw the Airdrie team victorious and in 2012 the home team, Callander used local knowledge to their advantage and won by half a point.
Callander Golf Club has supported the RSEA very well over the last 2 years and provided an excellent and challenging course to play and our thanks go to them for all their help in making the golf days a success.
After the first year the Ladies section had a bunker nominated as the charity bunker where landing in it cost you a 50 pence donation. Erskine was better off to the tune of £150 that year.
On the 2nd event we managed to have along a 91 year old ex-paratrooper who played the full 18 holes all to support the less fortunate of veterans.
A total of £4,724.20 was raised at the Champions league final night. This was split 50/50 between Rangers Development Fund and RSEA and as a result we will be donating £2,000 to Erskine Mains Home for their sound system project and £362:10p to Erskine Park Home towards their Sporting Memories Room
