Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Diamonds wear their hearts on their sleeves
Charities to be club’s new strip sponors after gift
Airdrionians have teamed up with three new charity partners in a unique sponsorship deal.
St Andrew’s Hospice, the Moira Anderson Foundation and mental health charity Back Onside will all benefit thanks to the involvement of local businessman Eddie Gouther.
Mr Gouther is the managing director of BEC Plastics and his company’s name will be featured on Airdrie’s away kits this season after winning a raffle.
And he donated the benefits of the five-figure sponsorship package to the three charities.
As well as their names being featured on the home strips, BEC Plastics will receive three pitchside boards, regular programme adverts, fundraisers and hospitality packages to auction off for funds.
The charities will also be allowed to hold two information and fundraising days at the Penny Cars Stadium throughout the season.
Eddie, who recently set up home in Airdrie, told the Advertiser: “I really liked what I saw when I visited the club.
“The atmosphere was fantastic and there was a real sense of enthusiasm, from the chairman down to the people selling 50/50s.
“I love what the guys are trying to do with the sensory room and Kit-Aid, among other things, which is very much about the community as well as the club.
“That was a real draw for me and as a new grandparent I look forward to bringing my wee grandson Jackson to watch the Diamonds.”
St Andrew’s Hospice’s fundraising officer Lorna McCafferty said: “I would like to thank Eddie Gouther for helping to raise awareness of St Andrew’s Hospice by placing our logo on the new shirts.
“We are also extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Airdrieonians Football Club, which will enable us to continue to care for the people of Lanarkshire.”
As well as being a supporter of all three charities, Eddie is also a trustee of Back Onside and its founder Libby Emerson said: “This is a fantastic new partnership.
“We hope that it will help us reach more people who need our support the most.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be involved and we look forward to a great partnership with the club.”
Airdrie councillor and trustee of the Moira Anderson Foundation Paul Di Mascio added: “This is a significant new partnership for the foundation with our local football club.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be involved and we look forward to a fruitful partnership with the club.
“We feel certain that our collaboration will continue to raise our profile, encouraging survivors to use our discreet services and help in securing much needed funds to assist survivors.”
Airdrie’s commercial manager Dougy Allsop added: “I think, for a provincial club, we punch above our weight in terms of what we do in the community, as should be the case.
“Eddie is a fantastic man and has helped us do that even further and I hope this is the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship.” ● Airdrieonians’ Kit-Aid scheme will run throughout August. Kids can swap old football kits for a season ticket, paid for by the supporters’ trust.
The trust send the strips to children in Third World countries.