The Tartan Army have donated $10,000 to a kids’ cancer hospital in the USA ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Big-hearted supporters travelling to Providence in Rhode Island will hand over cash to the Hasbro Children’s Cancer Hospital when they arrive in the area next month.
Around 10,000 Scotland fans are expected to be staying in and around Providence from June 10 to June 21. The national side is set to play our opening two Group C matches against Haiti and Morocco at the nearby Gillette Stadium.
After booking their travel, supporters created ‘The Providence Tartan Army‘. Fans then started a fundraising campaign with the hashtag ‘for the wee ones’ as they sold merchandise.
View 3 ImagesScotland qualified for the World Cup in November(Image: SNS Group)
Profits gained allowing the large donation to be collected for the city’s children’s cancer unit, to support both patients and families. Providence Tartan Army spokesperson Gregor Cowan said: “The Tartan Army makes friends wherever we travel to and as the people of Providence are hosting us as guests, we want to say thank you for the hospitality provided.
“A children’s cancer hospital is a cause close to everyone’s heart, no matter where in the world you live. This large donation will leave a legacy to the Providence community after we have gone.”
The official handover from will take place at 1pm local time on June 18 at the Hasbro Children’s Unit. A large cheque will be passed over while pipers – including some from the Rhode Island Highlanders pipe band – play for the patients.
Hasbro Children’s Hospital is the paediatric division of Rhode Island Hospital. It provides the most advanced paediatric medical care and is a Level 1 Paediatric Trauma Centre. It is also the only paediatric emergency department in south eastern New England, as well as Rhode Island’s only paediatric team.
View 3 ImagesA mock-up prepared by the Providence Tartan Army
It comes after the Providence Tartan Army group fought back against profiteering in the USA by chartering a fleet of school buses to take fans to matches. Thousands of supporters signed up for the cheap World Cup convoys after the extraordinary efforts of key organisers who worked tirelessly to help get them to our three big matches without bankrupting themselves.
Gregor, from Ayr, and Davie Hood, from Balloch, helped 1,000 Scots make the road trip for the games against Haiti and Morocco. And instead of coughing up the exploitative fees for official Boston 2026 buses run by the city – which are costing $95 – the Tartan Army will be paying just £38pp ($51).
Enterprising Davie hired out the entire fleet of yellow school buses – with 21 going to the Haiti game and 20 to the Morocco match – while Gregor has been sorting out locations for the masses of fans to party.
Gregor added: “We’ve been reaching out to lots of people to get a proper HQ for the Tartan Army and we have agreements on licensing hours and unofficial fan areas that look very promising. The Providence base has grown arms and legs – it’s going to be some trip.”
Article continues below
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.