In searching for a suitable charity to receive this, our first of regular £2000 donations, we were contacted by Dejan McGregor. Dejan is a Croatian who has adopted Scotland as his second team and can frequently be seen proudly wearing his kilt and one of his substantial collection of Scotland tops.

Dejan suggested that we have a joint donation – and the charity that he proposed was “Pelcic Gore”. This translates as “Thumbs Up”. It is a charity, just recently formed, to provide funds for maternity hospitals in Croatia to buy incubator units for premature babies.

A joint donation was made with the Croatian fans contributing 5000HRK (about £575).

The donation took place in the splendid surroundings of the Croatian Fans HQ in downtown Zagreb.

More Pictures Here…

Everywhere We Go!

Through making making contact with the Serbian Embassy in London, we were put in touch with Dejan Kovacevic who worked in Provincial Secretariat for Interregional Co-operation and Local Self-Government for the Goverment of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Between Dejan and ourselves, we identified SOS Kinderdorf as the intended recipients of the £1500 donation.

SOS Kinderdorf is the local branch of an international organisation who provide quality alternative care for children who cannot live with their biological families.

SOS Kinderdorf Novi Sad is a small “village” of some 13 houses and some Admin building set amongst woodland in the area of Sremska Kamenica on the outskirts of Novi Sad.

The presentation was arranged for the morning of the match, Tuesday 26 March.

Dejan had kindly arranged transport for the Seventeen Sunshine Appeal Steering Group members and supporters who had given of their time to visit the children.

Speeches were made, presentations were done. Mr Branko Vujovic, councellor in the Provincial Secretariat for Sports and Youth in the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina said a few words on “Fair Play”. The Director of the Village, Mrs Milena Vasic-Stupar, presented the Sunshine Appeal with a certificate acknowledging “Generosity and Humanity”. The Sunshine Appeal presented the Gift Cheque and a motion from the Parliament of Scotland, citing the excellent work done by both the Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal and SOS Kinderdorf, Sremska Kamenica that had been signed by several MSPs.

After the formalities came a tour of some of the houses that the children stayed in.  Some of our number accepted the challenge from the youngsters to a football match. The match was played in atrocious conditions with driving snow and snow underfoot. I am delighted to be able to report that Scotland won 5-3.  Full Story Here…

Everywhere We Go!

A donation of £1500 was made to Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner, Luxembourg on the morning of this friendly match.

The charity’s main aim is to help the families of children who suffer from cancer. This can involve medical, educational, psycho-social and administrative help. Houses in Luxembourg and Brussels are available to provide support to the families as the children are undergoing treatment. The foundation organises regular events and activities for the children to brighten their day, and provides home help, tutoring and schooling.

Financially, the Foundation supports the families by taking care of hospital bills, medication and transportation. At present around 160 children are helped by the home, which is fully funded by private donations, normally in the region of 25 euros!

Four members of the steering group along with members of Loony Alba, Westa, Dunfermline TA and the Cloverleaf bar TA visited the home in Luxembourg where they were given a tour by members of staff including the director of the foundation, Anne Goeres. The home was a very colourful place that included a play room, a study room and a relaxation room.

We were then introduced to a young girl who is receiving treatment and is being helped by the home. She and her sister were very taken by the men in the group with their kilts and Glengarries, as was the director!  We then received a gift to thank us for the donation – the mascot of the charity, a lion, which reminds the children to be brave. We felt was very fitting for us Scots!   More Pictures Here…

Everywhere We Go!

On the morning of the World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Brussels, several Sunshine Appeal Steering Group members attended the childrens’ oncology ward of the Brussels UZ Hospital, which was the recipient of the £1,500 donation.  The Steering Group members were accompanied by members of the Cloverleaf TA in Aberdeen who had recently held a fundraising dinner for Sunshine Appeal funds. Also on the visit was piper Willie Masson from Aberdeen.

On arrival at the Hospital they were welcomed by several staff including the Clinical Director of the Hospital Prof. Van Plassen. The group were given a tour of the childrens’ wards and informed of the work carried out.

They also visited the oncology ward where they were met by critically ill children and their parents.  Willie Masson brought the whole place to a standstill with his repertoire on the pipes and received a standing ovation by all.  The Hospital also invited Brussels TV along to film the occasion, and interviewed vice chairman Neil  Forbes.
http://www.tvbrussel.be/en/mobiel/node/20806.

All of the Tartan Army footsoldiers were completely overawed by the welcome and reception given by all at the Hospital, and believed that donations like this enhance the reputation of Scotland Football supporters throughout the world.  More pictures here…

Everywhere We Go!

The Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal made a donation of £1500 to The Noah’s Ark Appeal (the Official Charity of the Children’s Hospital for Wales).

Three members of the Sunshine Appeal Steering Group together with representatives of The Harry Wraggs Tartan Army went along to meet the children on the morning of the match against Wales in Cardiff. Everyone present was entertained by our superb piper, Spud, and the children loved their small Scottish gifts.

The Children’s Hospital for Wales treats thousands of children each year and our donation will contribute towards ensuring that these young patients receive the best possible facilities and care.

The main projects they are fundraising for are:

• A hydrotherapy pool
• Equipment for the critical care unit
• An open MRI scanner
• 2 integrated theatres
• An enclosed garden for therapy, rehabilitation, education and leisure

We would like to thank Olivia Collins of The Noah’s Ark Appeal for arranging our visit and to those who took time out of their match day celebrations to help with this donation.  Full Story Here…

Everywhere We Go!