Airdrieionians Football Club has once again entered in a unique sponsorship with three key charity partners and local businessman Eddie Gouther.

Eddie, Managing Director of BEC Plastics in Cumbernauld, has taken up the mantle of this unique type of sponsorship for the season ahead, with his three chosen charities all benefitting; St Andrew’s Hospice, The Moira Anderson Foundation and Back Onside Mental Health charity.

All three charities will receive trackside boards and regular programmed adverts to increase awareness of events, fundraisers and help for those who may need it. They will also receive hospitality packages to auction to raise funds as well as two information and fundraising days at home games throughout the season. The aim of the deal is to raise awareness and funds for each charity in equal amount.

Airdrie’s Commercial Manager Douglas Allsop said: “We have a long standing relationship with the Hospice, and are proud to be an ambassador club with KitAid. Our sensory room sees us working closely with Hope for Autism, and we are now into our second year with Suicide Prevention. Thanks to Eddie, we can not only continue our relationship with the Hospice, but welcome two new charities to the fold in MAF and Back Onside – two which are perhaps less well known, but critical in our community.

“I think for a provincial club we punch above our weight in terms of what we do in the community, as should be the case. Eddie is a fantastic man and has helped us do that even further, and I hope this is the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Airdrie’s Vice Chairman Martin Ferguson met Eddie and the representatives from all three charities last week, and was hugely impressed with the work they carry out.

He added: “Airdrieonians are striving to be the best we can on the park, but we must continue to lead the way off the park and help the local community. I was in awe of some of the work that these charities do and some of the stories that they had to tell me – they are the real superstars here – and it’s vital that we do what we can for the community of Airdrie.”

Lorna McCafferty, Trust Fundraising Officer, at St Andrew’s Hospice, said: “On behalf of our patients and staff, I would like to thank the sponsor Eddie Gouther for helping to raise awareness of St Andrew’s Hospice by placing our logo on the new shirts. We are also extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Airdrieonians Football Club, which will enable us to continue to care for the people of Lanarkshire.

For more information about the sponsorship deal, please visit https://www.airdriefc.com/charitypartners-020818