To raise charity cash

Stirling County’s season has started on a high on the field with wins in their opening two BT Premiership match against Heriot’s and Hawick.

Now the Bridgehaugh club is hoping for further success off the field with a unique fundraising idea for Strathcarron Hospice.

One of the players saw an Australian website selling `Budgie Smugglers’ - tightfitting Speedo swimwear - and came up with the idea of getting them in County’s black, red and white colours.

Allan Imrie at Stirling County said:“Mike McDonald saw the website and we suggested to the players that we get them, do a team photo and raise money for Strathcarron Hospice.

“Some of the guys weren’t too keen to strip down, but club skipper Jonny Hope rallied the troops and we all joined in.”

Club photographer Bryan Robertson had the task of capturing the lads in all their glory as well as shooting a number of individual pictures of the players.

The poster and other pics will be on sale in the clubhouse in time for Christmas.

The club chose Strathcarron Hospice as the charity in memory of former club captain and groundsman Al Munn who died in November last year having spent some time at the Denny hospice.

A JustGiving page has also been set up and already £380 has been pledged.

Bryan said:“Strathcarron Hospice is a very special place that looks after patients and their families at a very difficult stage in our lives. Many of us know this from personal experience from family members who have spent a number of weeks there being looked after with incredible care and dignity.”

“This came home even more for many at the club last year when our good friend Al spent a few weeks there. The people at Strathcarron Hospice really looked after Al very well and we know it meant a lot to him and his family.”

The JustGiving page can be found at www. justgiving.com/fundraising/SCRFC.