Rangers fans raise £23k in memory of Fernando Ricksen at Ibrox game

Kind-hearted football fans raised more than £23,000 in memory of at the first Rangers game after his death.

Supports chipped in to a MND Scotland collection held outside Ibrox before the club’s Scottish Premiership tie against Aberdeen on Saturday, September 28.

The figure collected by the charity is one of the biggest amount ever raised through a single bucket collection at the Rangers stadium.

during the early hours of September 18.

Countless tributes were laid outside of Ibrox by fans in the days after the 43-year-old death and supporters paid their respects during his funeral on September 26.

A beaming Fernando Ricksen with his beloved daughter Isabella (Collect)

Iain McWhirter, Head of Fundraising at MND Scotland said: “We have been blown away by the generosity of fans, following the tragic death of Fernando Ricksen.

“Our match day collection at Ibrox raised a massive £23,110.32. That’s the biggest fundraising total from a bucket collection in our charity’s 38-year history.

“I’d like to thank the Rangers Charity Foundation for giving us this opportunity to work together to add to Fernando’s legacy and I’d like to thank the army of volunteers who helped raise money outside the stadium, on the concourse, and at the turnstiles on match day.

“Fernando showed us, as with Celtic’s Jimmy Johnstone or rugby’s Doddie Weir, that Motor Neurone Disease can affect anyone at any point in their lives. That’s why it’s so important for us to be able to fund research into a cure for MND, so that nobody has to go through this devastating illness ever again.”

Thousands paid tribute to the former Rangers star during his funeral procession (PA)

Conal Cochrane, Director of the Rangers Charity Foundation, said: “It’s incredible to hear that MND Scotland’s can collection at Ibrox has raised such an impressive total, which will add to Fernando’s legacy whilst helping to tackle this cruel illness.

“Although it’s the tragedy of Fernando’s passing which brought the two charities together for this special collection, it is heartening to witness once again that the giving spirit of our fans knows no bounds.

“I would like to thank everyone for their generosity, including the many volunteers from the Rangers Family and beyond, who gave up their own time to support.”

For anyone wishing to add to the total, you can text CUREMND to 70660 to donate £5, or you can donate online at www.mndscotland.org.uk.