Footballers raise thousands in aid of Archie Foundation

Footballers from across the north-east have come together to support a struggling children’s charity.

The Archie Foundation makes a difference for local sick children when they are in hospital or require longterm medical treatment.

Supporters and volunteers were devastated when the charity’s annual Battle of the Badges event had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

The football match, which pits police officers against firefighters, usually raises thousands for the Archie Foundation.

Fundraisers across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray have laced up their trainers and done theirbittohelpfillinthat shortfall in funding.

In Elgin, big-hearted 10-year-old Mason Porter rallied his friends in the Aberdeen FC Youth Academy U11 side who raised funds through a 15-hour relay challenge.

Mason knows the benefit of the Archie Foundation, as it supported his younger brother Darrell, who was in and out of hospital when he was a toddler.

Mason’s mum, Hannah, said: “Lockdown has been so difficult on the boys, but as I said to Mason, lots of children are stuck inside hospitals at any time of the year and they need help from charities like the Archie Foundation.”

New Deer FC raised £2,240.

Meanwhile in Aberdeen Stoneywood FC’s 24-hour relay raised £4,000, spurred on by Martyn Paul, whose daughter benefited from the work of the Archie Foundation.

East End Lewis Youth 2013s, based in Dyce, did they own 12-hour challenge, involving parents, coaches and parents, raising £2,000.

Coach Cameron Buchan said it gave the team an “enormous sense of pride” to fundraise for a cause that would help other children in their area.