SPFL Trust makes £250,000 commitment to multi-pronged winter response roll-out

SPFL Trust operations manager Fiona Taylor with Falkirk Foundation staff.

The SPFL Trust is injecting £250,000 into Scottish football communities, including Montrose, in response to the challenges facing people across the country this winter.

The Trust is ploughing the six-figure sum into its winter response effort, with four initiatives being rolled out to support associated trusts and clubs (ATCs) in delivering powerful programmes.

A brand-new £100,000 Winter Support Fund has been launched to provide clubs with additional funding to deliver projects in their area.

Montrose, along with Arbroath, Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee, Dundee United, Hibs, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South and St Mirren have all been successful with their applications.

Trusts and clubs will also, for a seventh year, deliver Festive Friends - bringing Christmas cheer to those that need it most during the holiday season.

The campaign has the largest-ever fund this year, a total of £133,000, with the programme

expected to support over 4,000 people this year across Scotland.

Festive Friends brings Christmas cheer and companionship to elderly people who are socially isolated and at risk of being alone during the festive season. Almost 9,000 people have enjoyed Festive Friends in the last six years and that number is expected to reach nearly 15,000.

This year, given the current crisis facing the country, the SPFL Trust has also organised for Age Scotland Friendship Line flyers to be distributed in each hamper featuring helpful information.

In addition to these two initiatives, The SPFL Trust also now has a cost of living hub landing page on its website with helpful resources from the likes of Age Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The SPFL Trust will also provide trusts and clubs with Transfer Zone collection points to be stationed at grounds across the country. These are designed to be drop off points for people to share non-perishable food, clothes and other necessities.

SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid said: “It’s the Christmas spirit in action as we see the power of football in spades - with clubs spreading cheer in their communities.

"We look forward to supporting more people than ever before."