AS Scotland prepares to take on Germany in the opening game of Euro 2024, The National has launched a charity sweepstake to make things even more interesting.
We’ve rounded up 24 politicians, writers, comedians and other cultural figures from across the country (and some from further afield) to take part.
Each of them have chosen a charity and have been allocated a team. We’ll be donating £1000 to the winner.
Here’s a look at who’s taking part.
Lesley Riddoch - Scotland
National columnist and independence campaigner Lesley Riddoch has Scotland for the sweepstake and will be playing for Front Lounge Dundee.
“It’s given a hand up to thousands of young folk – hesitant, uncertain or simply overwhelmed by all the problems that come living with poverty,” Riddoch said.
“Its new project Kindred Clothing helps teenage mums who left school early find skill, comradeship and purpose.
“It’s excellent, patient grassroots work that changes lives but rarely gets acknowledged.”
Stephen Flynn – England
The SNP’s leader in Westminster has drawn England in the sweepstake and will be playing for Community Food Initiatives North East.
On drawing England, he said: “At least I know that if VAR decides to step in and help England win the tournament that some good will come from it.
“CFINE are a remarkable charity who help support those in Aberdeen who need it most and I couldn’t be more thankful nor proud of the contribution they make to our city.”
Alistair Heather – Denmark
Writer and presenter Alistair Heather will also be taking part and has drawn Denmark. He’ll be playing for Dundee United Community Trust.
He said: “I’ll be in Germany for our opening victory over the hosts and am buzzing for this summer of football.
“Dundee United Community Trust support girls teams in the city, they host Christmas Dinner at Tannadice for anyone that wants to go, they run para-athletics teams, they do so much good. And they do it all with joy.”
Chris McEleny – Slovenia
Alba’s general secretary Chris McEleny has drawn Slovenia in the sweep and is playing for Alzheimer Scotland.
He said he was “delighted to take part” and that although he’ll of course be cheering on Scotland, he has high hopes for his allocated team.
“Alzheimer Scotland means a lot to me through close family that work there and I’m always pleased to help them continue with their vital work.”
Ruth Wishart - Austria
National columnist Ruth Wishart has drawn Austria and will be playing for Médecins Sans Frontières.
“I would like to think the team I’ve been given will win the Euros, which kind of rules out Scotland, who are my long-standing team of choice and who have never got past the group stage,” Wishart said.
“I’ve followed them to many world cups so I’m pretty well inured to disappointment.”
Jenny Colgan - Slovakia
Playing for Kidney Research UK with Slovakia is Scottish author Jenny Colgan. She said she was excited to take part.
“I am delighted to be involved in the Euros sweep, even though Scotland is obviously going to win,” she said.
“I don’t know that much about football but my chosen charity is Kidney Research UK which improves the lives of people with renal failure every day.”
Tadhg Hickey - Portugal
Irish comedian Tadhg Hickey has drawn Portugal and will be playing for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
He said he is “eager to raise much needed funds for UNRWA” and joked that he was “even willing to risk pulling England out of the hat” to do so.
Alex Salmond – Czech Republic
The Alba leader is playing for Erskine Veterans and will be relying on the Czech Republic to have a strong tournament.
On its website, the charity says it “provides unrivalled support to veterans in Scotland through care homes and a veterans village”.
Mark Nelson - Germany
Scottish comedian Mark Nelson is playing for Marie Curie Cancer with Germany.
He joked that he’ll be off to a difficult start given that they’re playing Scotland on the opening night.
“I’m delighted to be involved in The National’s Euros sweepstake representing a charity of huge importance to me.
“As long as Germany make a mess of their first game I’ll be happy.”
Gavin Newlands - Georgia
SNP candidate for Paisley and Renfrewshire North Gavin Newlands is playing for Renfrewshire Toy Bank.
He said: “Organisations like Renfrewshire Toy Bank make sure children in my area at least have something at Christmas, and with over 10,000 referrals last winter, I hope my team can earn them an extra present from Santa.”
Susie McCabe – Italy
Scottish comedian Susie McCabe will also be taking part and is playing for Carntyne Credit Union food bank.
The organisation is a “lifeline” for communities so McCabe will be hoping the tournament holders can put in a strong showing.
Elaine C Smith – Ukraine
Known for her comedic turns in Rab C Nesbitt and Two Doors Down, Smith has drawn Ukraine in the sweep.
She’s playing for Scottish Women’s Aid which she has helped campaign with for more than 40 years.
“It’s always been a go-to charity for me,” she said.
Kelly Given – Poland
National columnist and former Make Me Prime Minister candidate Kelly Given is playing for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
She said: “There are very few causes more in need of funding right now than those dedicated to the care and support of the Palestinian people.
“Medical Aid for Palestinians has continued to work tirelessly in impossible circumstances to provide emergency medical assistance to those suffering on the ground.”
Lesley Paterson – Croatia
Scottish screenwriter Lesley Paterson, known for writing Netflix’s adaptation of All Quiet On The Western Front, is playing for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.
She recently announced that her husband Simon Marshall died following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
“My chosen charity is one that is very close to myself right now,” she said.
“Best of luck to Scotland – we are routing for you to go all the way.”
Hannah Bardell – Romania
SNP candidate for the Livingston constituency Hannah Bardell has drawn Romania and is playing for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
“It’s a charity that’s close to my heart as a member of my family has ulcerative colitis and I have many friends with Chron’s and Colitis,” she said.
“We desperately need more money for research and support.”
Christopher Brookmyre – Spain
Scottish author Christopher Brookmyre is also among those taking part and, like Ruth Wishart, he has picked Médecins Sans Frontières as his charity.
He said: “Games of chance are probably the only things I’ve fared worse at in life than following football, but at least a sweepstake doesn’t reflect on my judgment.
“My chosen charity is Médecins Sans Frontieres, because the world has seldom been more in need of its expertise and courage.”
Janey Godley – Albania
Scottish comedian Janey Godley, well-known for her popular voiceovers, has drawn Albania in the sweep.
She said she’ll be playing for Baby Loss Retreat which helps to support bereaved families following the loss of their baby.
Angus MacNeil – Hungary
Angus MacNeil, the independent candidate for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, will also be taking part and has drawn Hungary.
He’ll be playing for Bethesda Hospice Stornoway although his team will be playing Scotland on June 23.
Pete Wishart – Belgium
Pete Wishart is the SNP’s candidate for Perth and Kinross-shire, having previously served the Perth and North Perthshire constituency.
He’s drawn Belgium and is playing for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
“It is a lifeline service that has saved countless lives in Scotland. I have seen first-hand just how important it is,” Wishart said.
Ian Blackford – Netherlands
Former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford was particularly excited to learn he had drawn the Netherlands given it’s where he used to work.
He’s playing for Skye-based charity Lucky2BHere which aims to “place defibrillators and deliver emergency life support training to communities throughout Scotland”.
Blackford said: “I congratulate The National on this initiative. A bit of fun but with the outcome for the winner of much welcomed charity giving.”
Alan Cumming - Switzerland
Scottish actor and independence supporter Alan Cumming has drawn Switzerland, another one of Scotland’s group-stage rivals.
He’ll be playing for Scottish Trans and added that “after Scotland, we’ll be pulling for the Swiss”.
Iona Fyfe – Turkey
Scots singer Iona Fyfe is also among our entrants and has drawn Turkey in this year’s competition.
She’s picked Refuweegee as her charity and said: “With the UK’s extremely hostile immigration policies, the work that Refuweegee do to provide support for families settling in Scotland is so unbelievably important.”
Zara Gladman – France
Scottish comedian Zara Gladman, who many will know as Lady Alba, is certainly in with a shout of winning having drawn France.
She’ll also be playing for Medical Aid for Palestinians and said: “I know almost nothing about football. The last player I could name was Ally McCoist and that’s because of those Panini stickers in the 90s.
“But I’m genuinely excited for Scotland to win the Euros and I have a secret competitive streak so bring it on.”
Gillian Mackay - Serbia
Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who has campaigned for Scotland games to be shown on free-to-air TV, has drawn Serbia.
She’ll be playing for the Stroke Association and said: “It’s brilliant that Scotland are back in the big time, and while I’ll be cheering them on with all my heart, my sweepstake being Serbia who of course play England this weekend, really adds a bit of spice.
“But whatever the result, someone’s charity is going to be the real winner, and I’ve chosen the Stroke Association as my nominee for the lifechanging work that their team does each and every day.”
