Dream day for Gers fan
Special event was‘terrific’fun
A West Lothian Rangers fan battling cancer was treated to a dream day out that included a meeting with club idols.
Gers season ticket holder William Woodhead met Livingston man John Ashcroft eight years ago when John changed his seat at Ibrox to the one beside William, and so began a friendship over their shared love of the club.
When John told William he had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, he knew he wanted to do something special for him.
So William contacted the Rangers Charity Foundation and nominated him for a Dream Day experience.
The club’s official charity helps bring smiles to the faces of those who are most in need of a boost, through its Dream Fund initiative.
Last month, John was one of 12 Dream Day nominees living with terminal or lifechanging illnesses who were invited to the Training Centre where they had the chance to meet the men’s first team and manager,
Philippe Clement and enjoy an exclusive autograph session. This was followed by a special lunch at Ibrox and a stadium tour.
Grateful John said: “I’ve been like a big baby. I was so proud to be a Rangers fan. It’s once in a lifetime and I have loved every minute.
“I can’t thank William enough, I can’t thank Rangers enough and especially the Rangers Charity Foundation for what you have done for me. It has been really terrific”.
Big hearted William added: “When John said to me, I want you to come as my guest, it just blew my mind away.
“Honestly, it’s just surreal. When you get here, you start getting nervous. At 74 years old, you shouldn’t be nervous, but I was! I loved the way the players were just so nice and they were really interested.”
Rachael Cosgrove, Charity Executive at the Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have been able to arrange this for John and William and help create lasting memories for them and their families.”
You can help make more dreams come true by donating to the Dream Fund at https://www.rangerscharity.org.uk/donate/