This Christmas, the Queen’s Park FC Foundation has helped spread festive cheer across Glasgow’s Southside, thanks to funding secured from the SPFL Festive Friends programme.
For some it’s a magical time of the year but for many others Christmas can be tough, particularly for elderly vulnerable people who struggle with loneliness.
Working with Glasgow’s Golden Generation, the Foundation supported a Christmas lunch for isolated older people living within our communities providing a three course meal, and a special visit from Head Coach Owen Coyle, Sandy Stewart, and Owen Coyle Junior.
Owen Coyle commented: “It’s been brilliant to visit today’s Christmas Lunch event. We know the importance of family & friends during the festive period and also aware of the social isolation particularly in the elderly demographic. We have been fortunate enough to share stories and memories today with those in attendance which has been fantastically organised by the Queen’s Park FC Community Trust & Glasgow’s Golden Generation.”
Charlie Bennett Chief Executive Officer of The Queen’s Park FC Foundation commented: “This is a really difficult time for vulnerable elderly people in our communities and we are grateful to the SPFL Trust for this important funding to help us provide a Christmas lunch for them. This together with our food and clothing appeal which saw over 300 bags of warm clothes and vital food supplies distributed locally, and our support for the Warm Bank at Clincarthill Church has meant we have been able to make a real difference to people’s lives this winter.”
About Festive Friends
Festive Friends is a brilliant opportunity for clubs to give back to their local communities.
The SPFL Trust programme is now in its seventh year and, for the first time, all 42 SPFL clubs are taking part in the campaign.
Cowdenbeath will also deliver Festive Friends after being granted a year’s grace following their relegation to the Lowland League.
The campaign has the largest-ever fund this year, a total of £133,000, which means the SPFL Trust will be able to support an extra 1,000 people via clubs and community trusts.
As such, the programme is expected to support over 4,000 people this year across Scotland.
It’s been a difficult year so far for everyone with the cost of living crisis, but, of course, winter is always a particularly tough time for the elderly, who are at higher risk of social isolation.
Festive Friends brings Christmas cheer and companionship to elderly people who are socially isolated and at risk of being alone during the festive season.
Almost 9,000 people have enjoyed Festive Friends in the last six years and that number is expected to reach nearly 15,000.
