The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dark Blues will use cash boost for strip tribute to NHS bravery.
Dundee fans have raised nearly £3,500 so Dark Blues stars can pay tribute to NHS staff on their shirts next season, writes Marc Deanie.
The Dens Park faithful want to thank health service workers for their bravery during the Covid-19 crisis while also generating funds for their beloved club.
And a Go Fund Me page with a £10,000 target – also inspired by the shutdown efforts of Raith Rovers and Dunfermline supporters – has been set up in a bid to do both.
A percentage of the money raised will go to NHS Tayside’s Roxburghe House, a purpose-built palliative care unit in the grounds of Royal Victoria Hospital.
Organiser Scott Roberts said: “We are a group of fans who have been in touch with Dundee Football Club with regards to raising some money for the club while at the same time honouring the outstanding work of the NHS during the pandemic.
“We are doing this by way of sponsoring a ‘Thank you to the NHS’ message to be displayed on the 20-21 shirt’s sleeve with a percentage going to Roxburghe House.
“We were inspired to do something by the unbelievable efforts of similar fans’ funds at Raith and Dunfermline Athletic, both of which have raised over £50,000 for their clubs.
“We would be very grateful for any contribution to help our famous club in these unprecedented times if you are in a position to do so.
“Stay safe and we’ll see you back at Dens when we can.”
In April, Dundee defender Jordon Forster raised £5,000 for the NHS Charities Together appeal after auctioning off his match-worn shirt and runners-up medal from Hibs’ 2013 Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic.
The 26-year-old started a silent auction on his Instagram account before an anonymous bidder was announced as the winner two days later.
Forster said: “I’d seen people doing loads of different things to raise money, which is amazing, and I wanted to help in my own way.
“I’m quite a fit guy so I was thinking about doing a sponsored run but with my football programme it can become a bit difficult.
“How the auction of the top and the medal came about was there was a crack in the frame, so I said to my missus, ‘Do you think I should auction this off for charity and raise some money?’
“It’s a sentimental thing for me that I really value but we thought it was a good idea.
“I’ve got the memories in my head of playing in that final and now I can hold my head up high and say I did my bit during the pandemic.
“I wanted to try to raise as much money as I could and I’m really proud it was £5,000 just from one person.
“The person who won the top wants to remain anonymous but there’s a huge amount of respect there.
“I’m really thankful to everybody who put a bid in, I’ve had some really nice messages and it’s been a real success.
“The most important thing is the money is going to a good cause.”