Bothwell and Uddingston community group appealing for donations

They've had help from some former and first team football players in recent weeks, but are hoping you can help too.

Author: Linsey HannaPublished 3rd Jul 2020

A community group in South Lanarkshire, which is feeding over 200 people a day during the coronavirus crisis, is appealing to the public for their support.

The Bothwell, Uddingston and Viewpark Community Action Group started back in March when schools closed, and has had help from familiar faces like Leigh Griffiths and Ryan Jack in delivering food parcels.

They need around £20,000 per month to fund it having already spent around £80,000 since starting up - and are also looking for a van to help them take meals to those in need.

Allan Stewart, founder of the group, said: "We're 95% self-funded, we're relying on the villagers helping us donate.

"We've got a few companies backing us, and a few people like Ian Durrant and other footballers who have been coming in and doing a lot of promotion for us.

"Demand's actually getting greater now just with furlough and people losing their jobs so we've decided we're going to keep it going all year round because what we have found is there is quite a lot of people who will be forgotten about post COVID-19, and we can't let that happen.

Gordon Campbell, vice-chairman of the group, said: "It's quite humbling to be honest and it's hard not to be, to a certain degree, emotionally effected by that.

"It's on your doorstep, and you probably don't realise how affected a lot of people are in so many different ways."

The group delivers daily food parcels to several people in the community - and is currently using a van that was loaned to them to do this - however this is soon coming to an end due to work starting back up, and the group need a vehicle to get about.

Former footballers have also been helping the group.

Ex-Rangers player Ian Durrant said: "The van's probably the most essential thing they could probably have in terms of getting to people, so if there's anyone out there that has a spare van - bring it down to Uddingston.

"I'm sure it will be highly used and well used for what's going to be another hard few months or possibly another year ahead.

"Keep the donations coming - it might be small but every little helps and just keep it coming.

"There are people in need - we'll get there, we'll fight it together and we'll make sure we come out the other side stronger."

Donations to the group can be made here.

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