CLUB FOUNDATION IS ON THE BALL TO HELP
Group keeps on supporting local community as it overcomes challenges sparked by pandemic
THE work of the Rangers Charity Foundation was halted like the flick of a switch. The lightbulb moments quickly started for Connal Cochrane.
As Scotland was plunged into lockdown in March, Cochrane and his team of staff and volunteers felt it as much as anyone. But it was the knowledge that others would be struggling or suffering more than drove them to refocus and regroup.
The months since have not been easy, but the RCF continues to make a difference where and when it matters most. Life has changed in the new normal, but that willingness to work and desire to help certainly hasn’t at Ibrox.
“It has been challenging for lots of charities in common ways and certainly for ones like us,” Cochrane, the Rangers Charity Foundation director, admitted.
“It was shaping up to be a fantastic year for the Foundation on all fronts, and it still has been, but just now how we anticipated.
“We are a charity that works across all ages and tries to make a real difference and impact. We have over 20 different programmes in the community, reaching over 7000 people, and we have our charity partnerships.
“When lockdown happened, we had to suspend all of these programmes immediately and also our fundraising initiatives, many of which rely on lots of fans and supporters coming together for an event.”
The efforts from supporters have always been an integral part of the Foundation’s efforts as they give up time and hand over money. That help is a two- way street, though.
The power of football and the affection that people have for their club cannot be underestimated and it is certainly not taken for granted at Ibrox.
Behind the programmes and the initiatives, there is a personal touch to the work the Foundation undertake.
“One of the things we have been doing behind the scenes every week is responding to requests from people that are maybe going through a tough time or are terminally ill or suffering a bereavement,” Cochrane said.
“The Rangers Charity Dream Fund is something we have had in operation for several years now and we adapted that as well.
“As well as letters that came out from us on behalf of the club, the manager and players, we managed to produce a number of individual player videos to send out by WhatsApp to individuals that were going through a really tough time and we know that made a difference.
“One of those was a young man down in London who was initially in hospital recovering from significant treatment and was then back home.
“I was corresponding with him and his dad and sadly a few weeks ago he passed away quite suddenly and tragically.
“It is just keeping that relationship, about letting people know that we are thinking of them and how they are and we will do whatever we can to send that message of support from the club that they love.”
Throughout the months of uncertainty, confusion and fear, the Foundation has been innovative in its approach as programmes have been rethought and reintroduced alongside new endeavours to help those of all ages and in very different circumstances.
The Foundation from Home initiative saw more than 3200 worksheets sent to children and to the 36 primary schools that the RCF partner with as well as being made available online.
Focusing on health and wellbeing, all with a Rangers twist, they provided an educational resource and family activity during a time of concern for parents.
“For young people in school, they have had a pretty tumultuous year with their education and not being able to see their friends and have those networks,” Cochrane said. “With our SQA Centre, hopefully we are making that different again.
“One of our flagship programmes is our Hub in the Community. We have a hub officer based in Govan High School and that has been a really successful project.
“It was model based on a Manchester United programme, who we are quite friendly with, and we have adapted it in our own way and expanded into two new secondary schools. We also have a hub officer in Knightswood Secondary School and Drumchapel High School.
“We have been severely impacted but we are beginning to bring some face to face work back where we can and then have other programmes ready to take forward when guidance and safety allows.”
The hugely successful Football Fans In Training scheme was adapted so participants could take part at home, while challenges for children with autism were delivered across four age groups
every week as the Academy setup at Auchenhowie got involved to keep kids active and harness their love of the game.
And it was that affection for Rangers that allowed the Foundation to keep its Football Memories programme running as video packages were sent out to those suffering with dementia.
“We are all living with constant uncertainty at the moment and we have worked very hard over the last couple of months to put in place safe operating procedures for many of our programmes,” Cochrane said.
“A number of them are now up and running again, maybe with reduced numbers.
“The public in general probably don’t realise the unique power that football and Foundations such as ours and others all across the country really have in their communities. “They will seek support from us when they might not do from other sources, even though that support is there. Having that hook might bring them out of their shell a bit.”
With the support of the Steven Gerrard Foundation, a £ 5000 donation ensured that a daily
food service was able to continue operating as young people and their families in Govan were given assistance with meals when they needed it most.
The same can be said of the programme that was run at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital as a free tuck shop service was provided. With visitors under restriction, the supply of juice, snacks and puzzle books was a small thought that made a big impact to many that found themselves cut off from family and friends.
There has naturally been a focus on helping people through the pandemic, but the scope of the Charity Foundation is wider than ever as those with issues from addiction to unemployment are listened to and aided. The work has changed, but it will never stop.
“Maybe more than ever, the need in society is so great at the moment because of the way that people have been affected, particularly their mental health,” Cochrane said. “It is important that, working safely, we are able to start helping people again.
“We feel a responsibility to do that, but we must follow guidance and do it as safely as we can. It is also about making sure that the Foundation stays as a unique support for people of all ages and that is an area that we have worked hard on for years and years.”