Rangers star Jon Flanagan has handed over a donation of £30,000 to Glasgow City Mission on behalf of the club's charity foundation.
The former Liverpool defender pledged the cash which was raised as thanks to the generosity and commitment of hundreds of fans who slept out at Ibrox overnight this winter.
The Big Ibrox Sleep Outs raised an incredible £60,000, which was split between the Rangers Charity Foundation’s work in the community and Glasgow City Mission.
The £30,000 donated allowed Glasgow City Mission to keep Glasgow’s Winter Night Shelter open throughout the month of March this year, when it would normally otherwise have been forced to close.
Rangers Defender, Jon Flanagan, added: “It’s great to be a part of the Rangers Charity Foundation’s official donation to Glasgow City Mission.
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“I know that the Big Ibrox Sleep Outs have become extremely important to the fans and I’ve been amazed to hear how much of a difference their fundraising has made to homeless people in Glasgow.
"We’re all very proud.”
The Glasgow Winter Night Shelter aims to meet homeless people’s immediate need for a warm, safe place to sleep.
Partner organisations then help individuals find suitable temporary accommodation, as an alternative to rough sleeping.
The shelter normally operates from the start of December to the end of February, but over the last few years has been able to stay open in March, when it is still very cold, thanks to funding from the foundation.
Connal Cochrane, director of the Rangers Charity Foundation said: “We are very proud of our strong community partnership with Glasgow City Mission, which is now in its fourth season.
“Our supporters have fundraised over £175,000 for homeless projects over the last four years from our Big Ibrox Sleep Outs; £141,000 of which has helped Glasgow City Mission deliver crucial and ground-breaking projects addressing the causes and effects of homelessness in our city.
“Having volunteered at the Winter Night Shelter I know first-hand the vital role it plays in keeping vulnerable people safe in the coldest months and I was sorry to see that the need for this service is even greater than ever, with the number of unique guests staying at the shelter up from last winter.
“On the plus side, I know that staff and volunteers at the Winter Night Shelter do a great job of supporting the individuals who come through the door, with 74% of those who used the service able to go on to a positive destination such as a private let after seeking help at the shelter.”
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