Volunteers needed to fundraise for Age Scotland at Ibrox stadium
Age Scotland, the national charity for older people, is looking for volunteers to help fundraise outside Ibrox Stadium, ahead of the Rangers v Motherwell game, on Sunday 27 February.
Age Scotland has teamed up with the Rangers Charity Foundation this season to tackle the high levels of pensioner poverty in Scotland and are urging all fans to check if they or an older friend or relative could receive extra support by calling the charity’s helpline for a free benefits check.
The Foundation recently announced Age Scotland as its National Charity Partner for this season, with the aim of helping more older people access the financial support they are entitled to. Last year, Age Scotland’s advisors uncovered more than £600,000 in missing support for callers to their helpline. But they know this is just the tip of the iceberg, with at least £400 million in Pension Credit and other benefits like Council Tax Reduction going unclaimed by older people in Scotland each year.
As part of the partnership, Age Scotland is looking to recruit volunteers to help shake buckets and collect donations outside Ibrox stadium ahead of kick off between 1pm-3pm. The charity is looking for around 20 volunteers and family members (aged 16+) can also help on the day.
To apply to be a volunteer please visit age.scot/matchdayvolunteer or call our switchboard on 0333 323 2400. Your details will be passed to the fundraising team.
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted that the Rangers Charity Foundation has selected us as their national charity partner. It’s shocking that at least 150,000 pensioners in Scotland are living in poverty or struggling to get by on a low income.
“Rangers FC has such strong connections in Glasgow and communities across Scotland and we want their supporters to help us champion the rights of older people and ensure they are all claiming the financial support they're entitled to.
“We are on the hunt for volunteers to help fundraise outside Ibrox on Sunday 27 February. This is a great opportunity to raise lots of money and I would really appreciate if you could spare some time and join me at Ibrox to help raise money that will fund vital services like our friendship line and help tackle loneliness and isolation.
“Rising living costs and the ongoing energy crisis are putting a strain on older households, with a third already living in fuel poverty. There are fears even more older and vulnerable people will be plunged into poverty without the financial support they are entitled to. At Age Scotland, we're determined to make sure older people do not miss out on any of the vital financial support they're entitled to and are encouraging people to call our helpline 0800 12 44 222 for a free benefits check.
“Now more than ever older people need our support. The more volunteers we have, the more money we will raise to enable Age Scotland’s work and help older people in Scotland thrive.”
