Buddies are being urged to have their auction paddles at the ready as a host of foot-tastic items go on offer as part of the 12 Days of Christmas charity fundraiser.
Launched by the St Mirren FC charitable foundation today, the innovative campaign sees coveted items such as tickets to catch star DJ Ewan McVicar put up for auction over the next 12 days.
A new prize will be auctioned online for 12 hours every day for 12 days.
A really important event for the foundation, all money raised will be used to fund the lifeline Festive Friends initiative which aims to tackle food poverty and isolation amongst some of the most vulnerable people in Renfrewshire.
Kicking off with a stellar offering, the first day of Christmas prize is tickets to see DJ Ewan, as well as a signed vinyl record and away strip, which the star wore at the legendary Creamfields Festival.
And St Mirren players on the men’s and women’s teams have been lining up to promote the campaign – with one player adding their face to each of the 12 lots.
Today, Curtis Main said: “Welcome to day one of our 12 Days of Christmas auction for St Mirren FC charitable foundation.
“All funds raised from the auction will be going towards the foundation’s festive friends initiative where we will be giving out hot festive meals, luxury food hampers and Christmas gifts to those who are vulnerable in our community.
“This is really important to us this year. Due to the cost-of-living crisis, it means we have had more referrals than ever before.”
Dubbed the 'Tell Me Something Good' lot in recognition of Ewan’s hit track, the auction runs until 10pm today and has already seen some action on ebay.
The foundation’s fundraisers are more important than ever as a result of the growing demand for support.
Initially set up to support older people who may be alone at Christmas, the Festive Friends initiative is this year catering to families and people of all ages, such is the demand for support in 2023.
Gayle Brannigan, who heads up the foundation, told the Paisley Daily Express: “Last year, we delivered hot meals, hampers and gifts to 250 people but this year I expect it to be anywhere between 300 and 500.
“I’m particularly aware that this year more and more families need our support. This year, for the first time, we have had referrals from schools who have contacted us to say they have families in desperate need and can we do something for them at Christmas.
“The sad reality is that so many emails are coming in like that.
“We have gone from the pandemic and the financial impact from that to the cost-of-living crisis. People just aren’t getting a break.
“We really want to help and that’s why our fundraisers like the 12 Days of Christmas are so important.”
The Festive Friends project is delivered by an army of volunteers; from the people who turn out at 6.30am to cook on Christmas Day to the crew of drivers who deliver the meals and gifts in the afternoon and who stop and have a chat with the recipients.
Dozens more compile hampers and wrap gifts for days before the event.
To make a bid for today’s lot, log on to https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295379822294 and keep an eye on the foundation’s social media accounts over the next 12 days to bid on any of the other surprises on offer.
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