Dundee defender Jordon Forster says he was happy to do his bit for those putting their lives at risk after raising £5,000 for the NHS.
Former Hibs centre-back Forster auctioned off his match-worn shirt and runners-up medal from their 2013 Scottish Cup Final defeat to Celtic on Instagram.
After much interest, an anonymous bidder snapped up the 26-year-old’s treasured memorabilia, with the money going towards NHS Charities Together’s fight against Covid-19.
The Dark Blues man told The Courier he was delighted with the response.
“I’d seen people doing loads of different things to raise money, which is amazing, and I wanted to help in my own way,” he said.
“I’m quite a fit guy so I was thinking about doing a sponsored run but with my football programme it can become a bit difficult.
“How the auction of the top and the medal came about was there was a crack in the frame, so I said to my missus ‘do you think I should auction this off for charity and raise some money?’
“It’s a sentimental thing for me that I really value but we thought it was a good idea.
“I’ve got the memories in my head of playing in that final and now I can hold my head up high and say I did my bit during the pandemic.
“I wanted to try to raise as much money as I could and I’m really proud it was £5,000 just from one person.
“The person who won the top wants to remain anonymous but there’s a huge amount of respect there.
“I’m really thankful to everybody who put a bid in, I’ve had some really nice messages and it’s been a real success.
“The most important thing is the money is going to a good cause.
“Everybody is aware how much work the NHS is putting in right now and how hard it is for the people on the frontline.
“I know a few people in the NHS and you hear stories about the hours they’re putting in and how they put their own lives in danger every day.
“I’m lucky enough to have all my immediate family and friends healthy and well.
“The whole situation hasn’t really affected me or my family but it has done for millions of others across the world and here in the UK.
“If I was a multi-millionaire it would have been a lot more and to other charities but really I’m just like everybody else.”
UK health secretary Matt Hancock was earlier this month embroiled in a row over remarks he made about the issue of top-flight players’ pay.
Days later, English Premier League stars launched a “collective initiative” named #PlayersTogether to help generate funds for the NHS and distribute them “where they are needed most”.
Forster insists it is not the responsibility of footballers to bankroll the coronavirus effort but says he was happy to help and praised fans for their response.
“In the grand scheme of things, Scottish football isn’t like English football,” he added.
“There are people living in my estate who make a lot more money than I do.
“They can look at the top earners in the game but it’s all down to your situation and what you can afford.
“It would be good to think everybody is trying to contribute something. It’s more about the thought and the effort because some people are in a better position than others to raise money.
“All that matters to me is having the thought process of doing something to benefit someone else.
“There was a lot of Dundee fans but it was mainly Hibs fans it appealed to.
“There was a lot of support from everybody and nice messages.
“It’s brilliant because there needs to be more support and positivity from everyone.
“Albeit this pandemic is a horror story and it’s terrible, I think the good thing coming out of it is people are learning to become decent human beings again.
“There’s so much negativity and hate in the world, especially in football, where there’s so many people who are waiting for one bad thing to happen to jump on you.
“But now it seems there’s more people trying to be help each other, do something for someone else and be positive.
“That’s the way I want to lead my life, but you can’t expect others to do it, you have to lead by example.”
