An incredible £4,000 was handed over to Shelter Scotland this week thanks to the efforts of hardy Buddies.
The cash was raised by the St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation as part of its 2023 Saints Sleep Out which saw 20 people brave the wind and rain to sleep outdoors on March 17.
Members of the black and white army – together with women’s team manager Kate Cooper and Saints chairman John Needham – slept pitchside at the SMiSA stadium in a bid to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people.
The volunteers experienced just a taste of the hardship faced by people living on the streets with only a sleeping bag to protect them from the cold and torrential rain.
The sponsored event saw the team raise £8,000 which the foundation has generously split evenly with Shelter Scotland.
Gayle Brannigan, chief executive of the St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation and participant in the Saints Sleep Out, said she was delighted to hand over the cheque to an organisation which does so much to support people in Paisley and further afield.
She said: “Shelter Scotland do incredible work across the nation to support vulnerable people.
“There is nothing more important than having a safe home and we are all really passionate about it.
“We want to make this event with other clubs we work alongside. If we all did it together it would raise great awareness for the charities.
“We had an incredible response from the community especially with how financially under pressure a lot of people are with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“It was one of our best fundraisers yet so we were all really blown away and can’t thank people enough.”
The second St Mirren Sleep Out to be held in the SMiSA stadium, the event was first held last year at the request of the black army.
It took place on St Patrick’s Day - a date the black and white army has dubbed Saints Day as it marks the anniversary of when the Buddies lifted the Scottish League Cup.
During the Covid-19 pandemic fans donned their black and white stripes and made a donation to charity to mark the occasion.
But when the social restrictions were lifted fans suggested the club adopt the sleep out fundraiser instead.
Gayle added: “This is completely fan driven. We recognise that many of us are very, very fortunate to have warm homes to go home to.
“We want this to raise awareness of the people who benefit from the services offered by Shelter Scotland and similar charities.”
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