Super supporters hoping to add to £350,000 Erskine cash

Dec 9 2011 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

A POSSE of glamorous girls are hoping their football-themed calender will raise much-needed cash for veterans’ home, Erskine.

The 12 beauties volunteered their services after being approached by Rangers fans aiming to raise cash for the charity.

It is just the latest fundraising idea from the Rangers Supporters Erskine Appeal (RSEA), set up by Tom Clark and Simon Leslie.

The calendar, which costs £10, features a number of top models.

Murray Roxburgh, of the RSEA, said: “I run the annual Miss Glasgow competition and I managed to talk the last two winners into getting involved.

“Rangers player Lee Wallace’s girlfriend Stephanie Moffat was also happy to play a part, as were girls from various modelling agencies.

“Each month of the calendar includes a picture of the girl in evening wear and the football strip.

“The calendar will be available at the Erskine Garden Centre and I hope it can raise lots of cash.”

Over the past few years, the RSEA has raised almost £350,000 for Erskine, which cares for veterans.

And it has pulled in support from Rangers FC for yet another money-spinning idea – selling off limited-edition copies of a picture of the Queen which hangs in the Ibrox dressing room.

Murray said: “On hearing of our work, artist and Rangers fan Helen Runciman created a wonderful oil painting to mark the occasion, which she has since gifted to the Erskine Home.

“The oil painting features the same portrait of the Queen which proudly hangs above the door in the Rangers home dressing room, as well as Rangers and military images from the First World War to present day.

“The painting was officially handed over at the beginning of last month to Erskine at Rangers’ Murray Park training ground.

“Erskine veteran May McLean was on hand to receive the donation from Helen, Rangers’ Director of Football Gordon Smith and first-team player David Healy.”

The RSEA have made 95 A2 prints of the painting – as it’s 95 years since the creation of Erskine – and they are selling these for £200 each.

The prints come with a certificate of authenticity signed by Helen and Rangers legend Harold Davis, with all profits going straight to Erskine.

For more information on the print or the calender, log on to www.grailpr.com/rsea