Staff members from Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will go head to head in Battle of the Badges charity football match to raise money for sick children in the North-east of Scotland.
The match will support the work of The ARCHIE Foundation, the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH). ARCHIE funds specialist staff, equipment, facilities and emergency grants to support patients and their families.
The teams will face each other on Saturday, June 30, at the Balmoral Stadium, the brand new home of Cove Rangers.
Members of staff from both organisations are invited to attend try-outs on February 24 and 25, before the final 15 players are selected from each side to begin training.
Each player will be matched with their own mascot – a current or former patient at RACH. Players and mascots will work together over the coming months to raise funds and awareness in support of ARCHIE.
Cassie Thompson, director of fundraising at The ARCHIE Foundation, said: “We are incredibly excited to be working with Police Scotland and the SFRS to bring Battle of the Badges to Aberdeen.
“Football is an incredibly popular sport in the north-east and this is a great way to combine the beautiful game with the chance to make the difference for local sick children.
“Whether you are Team Police or Team Fire we hope you will join us on the day to cheer on all the players and the mascots, and may the best team win.”
David Farries, the SFRS deputy assistant chief officer for the North of Scotland, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service does so much more than just fight fires.“Our firefighters are also role models for young people. They serve at the very heart of their communities and will always stand ready to assist charitable funding wherever possible.
“We also never shy away from a challenge – especially one from our police partners – and we are delighted to throw our weight behind this fundraiser.
“The Battle of the Badges will be a fun and friendly match in support of an inspiring charity, and we very much hope to have the full support of communities across Aberdeen and beyond to raise as much as possible.”
Colin Taylor, Police Scotland inspector for Partnerships, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause and of course will relish the opportunity to take on our colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“This promises to be a great event and we’re looking forward to getting involved.”Duncan Little, Secretary of Cove Rangers FC, said: “We at Cove Rangers FC have contributed on a small scale to The ARCHIE Foundation in the past, but this will be a much bigger venture which we are delighted to host in our new stadium. Everyone at the Club is looking forward to the event.”
For more details or to purchase your tickets to the game visit www.battleofthebadges.co.uk
