Inverness Caley Thistle and rivals Ross County are to unite to help those in need by asking supporters to bring tinned food for Inverness Food Bank.
Caley Thistle’s family sports bar will be used at the local derby game with County tomorrow to receive the donations, which could give a flying start to the charity in 2014. ICT chairman Kenny Cameron agreed to accept a request from deputy Inverness Provost Bet McAllister to dedicate the fixture to benefit the food bank.
Mr Cameron said: “It’s a very deserving cause and the club is happy to be able to help in this way. Over the festive period there are people going without and this is an opportunity for the community and supporters from both Highland clubs to come together and show they care.
“The County fixture is a crowd puller and we’re happy to make it available for this cause. If every supporter brings along a couple of tins of food, what a difference it could make to the food bank.”
Ross County manager Derek Adams encouraged County fans to get involved, adding: “We’re delighted to support this initiative which embraces both the true spirit of the festive season and also the community spirit which is a big part of what makes the Highlands such a special place.
“While it might be competitive on the pitch, it’s fantastic that off the pitch both sets of supporters are able to come together for a really worthwhile cause.”
Councillor McAllister said: “Food banks are under particular pressure at this time of year and they do such magnificent work. I know the Inverness one has had major growth in demand in 2013 and I felt the city’s football club was the ideal focal point for an appeal of this kind.
“We consume so much over the Christmas period, and so much food is actually wasted, yet people are going hungry. People with spare tins of food would, I believe, be happy to bring them along to the Caley Thistle match and donate whatever they can.
“I’m delighted that Inverness Caley Thistle and Ross County have embraced the idea so enthusiastically and I think all those in need locally will be grateful.”
Samantha Skinner, event manager at ICT, is co-ordinating the appeal and is on 01463 222880.
Food banks rise, Page 21