Local charities cheer on Glasgow Rocks to celebrate Health Lottery funding
Local grassroots charities, who received a combined total of nearly £50,000 of funding from The Health Lottery, celebrated with a trip to see Glasgow Rocks beat Worcester Wolves in the British Basketball League (BBL) on Sunday 17th March.
They were among a crowd of 1000 in Glasgow's Emirates Arena, home to the Glasgow Rocks since 20102, and may have proved a good luck charm as the Rocks pulled off a 92-79 victory.
In the supporter’s wing was South Lanarkshire-based charity, Promoting the Role of Father Figures (PROFF), who received a £13,582 grant from People’s Health Trust with funds raised through The Health Lottery in Scotland.
Neil McGarrie from PROFF said: “With support from The Health Lottery in Scotland and People’s Health Trust we’re able to organise a range of activities such as woodwork and camping, to help fathers and children build real life-long connections.”
“To be invited along to support the Glasgow Rocks was an amazing opportunity for our members to spend quality time together, shoot some hoops and cheer on a great local team.”
PROFF is committed to providing opportunities for father figures to highlight the importance that positive male role models make to their children's future prospects, by strengthening their relationships within the family and also with others within the community.
Glasgow Access Panel, a charity which received a £34,914 grant from funds raised through The Health Lottery in Scotland also attended the event.
To date, The Health Lottery in Scotland has raised over £10.8 million for health-related causes in Scotland, with 269 local Scottish charities benefiting from funding and support.
Duncan Smillie, owner of Glasgow Rocks said: “It was great to see such a fantastic turnout at the game with our regular supporters and Health Lottery Scotland, who created a real buzz in the arena.
“We’re big community supporters here at the Glasgow Rocks so it’s wonderful to see Health Lottery Scotland giving back and raising money for local charities in the area.”
The Glasgow Rocks are Scotland's only professional basketball team. Sunday's victory sees them move to 9th in the British Basketball League as their push for a playoff spot continues. Next weekend the Rocks will take on London Lions in a BBL Trophy Final rematch.