CONTRARY to popular belief, we are a charitable bunch here at The Herald, as are a great many within Scottish football, amongst them Celtic and Scotland goalie Craig Gordon.

A few weeks back when Celtic won the league at Tynecastle, our correspondent Alison McConnell got an exclusive with Craig Gordon for the Evening Times. On finding out that Ali was doing the 26-mile Loch Lomond Mighty Hike in June, on behalf of MacMillan Cancer Support, Craig offered to make a donation.

Alison takes up the story. “As you well know, these guys are pestered for things all the time and I expected that it would slip his mind. 

"However, after the semi-final win at Hampden, Craig was in the mixed zone and as I tried to bag a news piece for myself, Craig recalled the chat in Edinburgh. ‘Do you want my shirt from today?’ he asked.

“Two minutes later, he duly returned and handed over a still damp top, although I expressed some surprise that he’d been sweating at all.”

A fantastic and heart-warming story. It just couldn’t get any better – but actually it does, as Alison explains.

“My bag was upstairs in the media room, so unwilling to look like a groupie, I asked Chris Jack – our resident Gers man – to stick the top in his bag. Sportingly, he obliged.

“So far the top has raised just over £550. It will be live until Friday and a suggested £2 donation to my Just Giving page will see your name in the hat to win the top that Gordon wore at Hampden.”

Well played all-round. I should add there is no truth that Chris paid 50 notes just for Ali to take the jersey back out of his bag.

If you wish to donate, and to have a chance of winning Craig’s shirt, look up Alison Hannah, ‘Ali’s Just Giving page’, Loch Lomond Mighty Hike 2017.

Herald Sport’s Facebook Live page went, er, live this week, myself and Football Editor Neil Cameron discussing the downfall of Joey Barton (right), handed an 18-month ban by the FA for betting on matches.

Scott “Samuel Goldwyn” Mullen did the setting up, propping the camera up on a small fridge, which in turn was lifted on to a chair (who needs a camera tripod) before he gave the cry of “lights, camera, wait a minute.” But, after finding the record button, away we went, waxing lyrically about dear Joey’s misfortune.

The feedback was good, and observant. For in the corner of the screen some noted what looked like a pile of betting slips. Had we been doing extensive research, or even better, uncovered some damning evidence from the aforementioned Joseph from his time at Rangers? No.

For out of shot sat senior sportswriter Kevin Ferrie, beavering away at what many believe he does best, namely his monthly expenses. And those slips? His claims on petrol, food, and beard trimming.

Thankfully, he remained silent during the broadcast until going all health and safety on us. “Is that fridge switched off?”

Kevin really focuses on those expenses.

I enjoyed Des Clarke’s My Sporting Saturday on the back page, his love of snooker reminding me of other celebs who are fans of the green baize.

Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, Stephen Fry, Dickie Bird, Nick Clegg. They’ve all been to the Crucible to see the world championship live. I recall when members of the Emmerdale cast came to view proceedings, including the late Clive Hornby (Jack Sugden) and Peter Amory (aka Chris Tate), who attracted a few strange looks as he wandered around the auditorium, given most of his “Farm” days were spent in a wheelchair.

They enjoyed the snooker, but really took to the edge of their seats when the match cloth had to be hastily replaced after Peter Ebdon ripped it. In the arena, they marvelled as fitters dismantled cushions, steel blocks and pockets, whipped off the old carpet, stretched, nailed and ironed the new baize, marked the spots and drew on the ‘D’ – all in 24 minutes flat.

“Seeing that made it all worthwhile,” said “Jack”, who I presumed was more a DIY fan in real life.

Lastly, and this week I appeared on The Kaye Adams Programme, BBC Radio Scotland’s morning phone-in show, with the topic of discussion, in light of Barton’s defence claims, whether I had any issues with my kids wearing a football shirt sporting the name of a betting company, as many now do.

In short, my answer was no, but interestingly, one caller thought the NFL was a good model to follow regarding sponsorship.

The NFL, where beer companies spend five and a half times the average sum other brands spend supporting American Football.

Frying pan and fire springs to mind.