An award-winning Dundee community football club has won a legion of new fans with its energetic role during the coronavirus pandemic.
The handover of £1,550 proceeds of a virtual race night staged by Dundee West was the club’s latest contribution to local efforts to feed families and keep children occupied throughout lockdown.
Previously named Scotland’s best community grass roots football club, Dundee West has been directing support to the local food larder throughout the coronavirus crisis.
Development officer Tam McCabe said they had been determined to take a strong community role to help organisations such as the Kirkton Food Larder and the Dundee Bairns charity.
“We have seen the value of the likes of the food larder which has helped hundreds of families who may have lost jobs, be struggling on furlough or be self-isolating during the pandemic,” said Tam.
“Myself and club secretary Paul Gibson organised the virtual race night and we were inundated with support.
“It was a great night and people were really generous with their support – many who won races just said to put their winnings back into the fund.
“Dundee West have been trying to support every part of this throughout, including helping the family development officers at the St Paul’s hub.
“We’re running fitness sessions which are getting busier and busier, but it’s to try and get families active and into a positive routine.
“We’re using football to encourage the kids, but we’re also trying to show that it’s about more than just football and we are trying to do everything we can to support all of our community partners.
“We have seen how quickly the money goes so we were determined to do something to make sure that the stuff provided by the larder can remain free to those who really need it.”
Tam added: “We’re determined to keep doing what we can.”
Throughout lockdown the club has kept its members on the ball with a series of online challenges including football skills or profiling favourite players.
