Scotland players make substantial donation to NHS Charities Together

The Scotland Men’s and Women’s National Teams have teamed-up
to make a substantial donation to NHS Charities Together to support frontline
workers across Scotland and the UK.

Captains Andy Robertson and Rachel Corsie have joined forces
to recognise the efforts of nurses, doctors, medical, volunteers, and support
staff who are working hard to keep the nation safe throughout the COVID-19
pandemic.

The donation is made up of personal contributions and commercial appearance fees that were due to the respective squads but all players were unanimous in ensuring the money should instead be focused on supporting the efforts of NHS staff.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Scotland’s Rachel Corsie (L) and Andrew Robertson are pictured during a training session at the Oriam, on November 12, 2019, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group / SFA)

Andy Robertson, Scotland Men’s National Team captain: “We
have all been at home, taking the advice of medical advisers and watching the
news that highlights the heroic efforts of our NHS. We have all been inspired
by the selflessness of nurses, doctors and all healthcare workers on the
frontline – it only reinforces how vital the NHS is to our country and how we
must cherish and protect this institution.

“Throughout the squad we have players with friends and
family members involved in the NHS, so when the idea was floated around the
WhatsApp group chat, it was a no-brainer and unanimously the right thing to do.
Rachel and the women’s national team were having similar conversations and I am
proud that we can demonstrate our solidarity with the wonderful NHS staff in
Scotland and across the UK. On behalf of the men’s national team, I say ‘thank
you’ to you all.”

Rachel Corsie, Scotland Women’s National Team captain:
“While I have been in lockdown across the Atlantic in Utah, and despite the
essential social distancing measures in place across the world, COVID-19 has
made us connect with our friends, family and team-mates. In those daily
conversations back home, the heroism of the NHS is a constant theme and it
should not be taken for granted.

“Like Andy and the men’s team, we realised that any money
that was due to us through the privilege of playing for our country would be
better put together and used to help the country’s fight against COVID-19 and
especially to support the incredible efforts of our NHS staff at the front line
and those supporting them. On behalf of the women’s national team we are proud
to contribute in our own small way and proud of our NHS in Scotland.”

Jane Ferguson, Director of Edinburgh and Lothians Health
Foundation and Trustee of NHS Charities Together: “NHS Charities Together is
extremely grateful to the Men’s and Women’s National Teams for their generous
donation. It makes a huge difference to NHS staff and volunteers, who are
working tirelessly to save lives, to know that everyone is behind them. The
donation will help NHS Charities across the country provide essential support
for the health and emotional wellbeing of NHS staff, volunteers and patients
during these challenging times, in ways above and beyond that which NHS funding
provides. Thank you.”