olice Scotland have lifted the inaugural Battle of the Badges trophy in a well-fought match at the Cove Rangers FC Balmoral Stadium yesterday.
The team took on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the charity football match to raise money for The ARCHIE Foundation.
The ARCHIE Foundation is the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. It funds child-friendly hospital spaces, specialist staff training, advanced medical equipment, and emergency grants to support children and families during their time in hospital.
Team Police forward Luke Barbour, a Police officer from Ellon, also lifted the Man of the Match trophy.
Police Scotland chief inspector Martin McKay said: “We are delighted to have been crowned the winner at this first ARCHIE Foundation Battle of the Badges tournament in Aberdeen. The team played well and I know they will be pleased with the result. Commiserations to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who also did well.
“Although it has been great fun for us it has all been for a serious cause to raise funds for The ARCHIE Foundation. We hope the match today will have helped the charity in their work of enhancing hospital experiences for children.”
Jamie Smith, regional fundraising manager for The ARCHIE Foundation, said: “We are incredibly grateful to both Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for taking part in Battle of the Badges. Both teams have given up their own time on top of their busy work schedules to train and prepare for this match, and this could be seen in the calibre of the game.
“We’re also very grateful to our mascots who have supported their players with their fundraising efforts and were at the sideline to cheer them on yesterday.
“Through their support, and the support of everyone who came along on the day, we have raised vital funds to support the work of The ARCHIE Foundation.”
Laura Yeats, manager of Tempo Café, said: “We’re thrilled to have sponsored the winning team in the first ARCHIE Foundation Battle of the Badges.
“Football is such a popular sport in the north-east, it’s fantastic to see the emergency services using it as a means to support the work of a great local charity, and we are delighted to have been part of this event.”
