Big-hearted fan gives up final tickets for charities

A RANGERS fan from Dundee is raffling off two gold-dust Europa League final tickets to raise money for charities.

Mitchell Carling, 14, was lucky enough to score tickets for the huge clash in Seville next week.

But instead of going to the game, the teenager has decided to try and raise funds for two good causes.

Thousands of Light Blues fans are scrambling to get their hands on briefs for the final against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Mitchell is hoping the demand will see fans rush to enter the raffle and raise as much money as possible.

He will split funds raised between Type-1 Diabetes research charity JDRF and Caudwell Children, a charity founded to support the lives of disabled and autistic children in the UK.

Tickets for the raffle are £20 each and it will be drawn on Sunday afternoon which will allow time for the lucky winners to arrange travel to Spain.

Hours after announcing the raffle, he had raised more than £9,800 and has set a target of £20,000. Launching the draw online, Mitchell, who now stays in Dubai with his family, said: “I’ve been lucky enough to secure two tickets to the Europa League final, Rangers vs Frankfurt in Seville.

“I’ve decided to raffle these two tickets to raise as much money as possible for the two charities closest to my heart; JDRF and Caudwell Children.

“Please like and share with everyone to raise as much money as possible.”

Fans praised the Gers-daft youngster for his big-hearted gesture.

One said: “Well done mate, hope the charity does well out of this.”

Another added: “As a father of a Type 1 diabetic child myself, I’m doubly happy to support this cause. Well done kid and all the best to you.”

A third wrote: “Great initiative wee man. This will provide care and support for many.”

And a fourth posted: “Amazing thing to do. Good luck to everyone and hope you raise lots of money young lad.”