Football clubs have come together to help vulnerable people in West Dunbartonshire through the cost of living crisis this winter, from warm hubs to Christmas toy appeals.
Former Dumbarton FC star Graeme Ramage has been running a Christmas toy appeal to help families struggling this festive season, as he reflected on what it was like for him growing up among social workers.
The ex-pro runs the Graeme Ramage Football Academy, coaching over 130 children a week out of his base at Goalzone in the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate, however, although that base is used to coach the stars of tomorrow, it is also being used to store presents.
Graeme said: “I have run the Christmas toy appeal for the past couple of years. Last year it was for Food for Thought.
“One of the kids that come for training has a gran who helps a lot of families through the charity ‘Above and Beyond’, and in September there were well over 300 families that had requested help from them. It’s over that mark now.”
The facility is open every night from 4pm to 10pm, accepting toys and cash donations, with December 12 the last day to donate.
“It is heartbreaking to see because you just don’t know the extent to which it is going on because they are only one group, and they have those numbers. Just think of how many similar ones there are.
“I remember when I was wee when we used to deal with social work when I stayed with my mum, and we would go down to the social work building in the Vale to get a toy at Christmas.
“I was a bit lucky that I went to stay with my dad because I then had a good upbringing, but it was hard before. Other people don’t have that luxury.
“Christmas Day with a present is the best thing ever for a wean. That’s all they and we care about with the appeal.“
This is not the only charitable act Graeme has taken part in, from starting a football boot appeal – to help families deal with the cost of youth football – to even donating to Renton Craigando FC’s Heat Hub, which aims to help the elderly and families deal with rising energy costs.
The Heat Hub is run by volunteers Raymond Keeley, Nina Ward, David Bates, Sean Lavery and chairman Joe Mulvenna every Thursday from 11am to 4pm.
Raymond told how how vital it is for the local community. He said: “We started the warm hub for the elderly and families that are struggling.
“Everyone is struggling at the minute with the cost of living, and people aren’t getting the help they need to deal with it. We are trying to do our bit.
“Although we are based in Renton, anyone from Brucehill, Bellsmyre or anywhere can come. We want people to come to take the stress off of their bills and use that money to feed themselves.”
West Dunbartonshire councillor Jim Bollan suggested the idea of the warm hub to the chairman.
Jim said: “As we move into the winter proper this heat hub will be vital to help those constituents who are faced with choosing between eating or heating given the huge increases in energy and food costs.
“The Lottery have just awarded the Warmth Centre a grant of £3,500 to run the centre, which is great news.”
Graeme Ramage added: “I played for Renton before I went to St Mirren, so I have always had a close affiliation with them.
“My son plays for their 2013 team, and they sent a message into the parent’s chat about the heat hub, and I felt it was a good opportunity to donate to a charitable cause.They do a lot for the local community.”
Dumbarton Football Club also donated to the warm hub.
