Monday 18th May, 2020 at 11:39am
It’s the equivalent of a free meal for everyone sitting in a full Jackie Husband Stand and John Lambie Stand – and Partick Thistle Charitable Trust (PTCT) have achieved it in just seven weeks.
The Trust’s Covid-19 Response programme, in partnership with Glasgow City Council, Progrez and NG Homes, has now delivered more than 9,000 free meals to vulnerable people in the north of Glasgow.
The project is based from Partick Thistle’s home at The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill and reaches children and families, the elderly and vulnerable, in communities in and around Maryhill.
Those benefitting receive not only free meals – for many the only hot food they currently enjoy – but other essential items such as hand sanitiser, weekend breakfast packs and self-help books.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 03: The Partick Thistle Charitable Trust has been providing over 100 meals a day from the Maryhill club’s stadium to support the local community during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, on April 03, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland.
Pictured: (L-R) PauL Brennan, John McGowan, David Galt and Allan Campbell of Partick Thistle Charitable Trust
(Ross MacDonald/ SNS Group)
Paul Kelly, Manager of PTCT, said: “This service is absolutely essential to a great many elderly and vulnerable people who either have no family or friends locally who can assist them or are shielding and unable to leave the house during this extremely challenging time.
“The positive impact on them has been matched by the very moving reaction to our delivery teams. They have received cards, gifts and thank-yous from some very grateful children and elderly people who really see us as a lifeline and their only source of a hot meal each day. The spirit and energy of the team is quite something – they are a credit to the Trust and Partick Thistle family.
“We must also thank our partners, particularly Progrez and NG Homes, without whom this project would not have been possible as well as the, once again, magnificent fundraising efforts of our fans. We are also seeing new partnerships form, with significant contributions of food from McDonalds Springburn and hand sanitiser from Pernod-Ricard.”
Partick Thistle Charitable Trust relies on ongoing donations to ensure the programme can continue and are constantly reminded of the fragility of those they are supporting.
Paul continued: “We have received a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our service users as, sadly, three of them have died in just the past week. We are deeply saddened by this and pass on our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who have passed.
“This only underlines the importance of the work we are doing, which helps people who may be registered blind, have acute dementia, a physical disability or be in extreme poverty brought about by job loss and no access to income. Every single pound and penny donated helps these people – so to those who can afford to do so I ask you to keep on supporting us and please spread the word.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so via the Trust’s fundraising page: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1015468
Gerry Britton, Partick Thistle FC Chief Executive, said: “We’re extremely proud of the team at Partick Thistle Charitable Trust for the lifeline they are providing so many vulnerable people right now.
“The Football Club is delighted to be one of a number of supporters of this project, with the work based at Firhill, and would only encourage others to get involved to ensure this important work can continue for as long as it is needed.”
