Aberdeen Football Club’s #StillStandingFree campaign, set up to help fans in the wider community through the coronavirus crisis, has reached one of its main goals.
In 12 weeks, the dedicated calls team set up by the club and AFC Community Trust have spoken to over 12,000 fans as part of a mass outreach programme to check-in with people during lockdown.
Calls initially prioritised elderly and vulnerable fans and then continued on to reach-out to fans of all ages and circumstances.
Nicola Graham, project manager for the trust’s Dementia Friendly Project, has been a friendly voice on the phone for hundreds.
“Many of them are in their 70s and 80s and living alone,” she said.
“While some have contact with family members, having someone different to talk to means a lot.
“It’s an opportunity for them to chat about whatever they want and a lot of them want to talk about football of course.
“They’re interested in what the club’s doing and what’s happening in the community.
“When you talk to someone who’s particularly vulnerable, you hear in their voice what the calls means in terms of their mental health and wellbeing.
“There’s a noticeable difference between how they sound at the start of the call compared to the end, when they are much happier.”
Fans have been lifted by calls from AFC captain Joe Lewis, Andrew Considine, Niall McGinn and Shay Logan, Dons legend Neil Simpson, chairman Dave Cormack, manager Derek McInnes and assistant manager Tony Docherty.
Meanwhile, essential food packages have been delivered to 1,500 households, supporting close to 7,000 people, including almost 4,000 vulnerable children.
Dons fans have thrown their weight behind the campaign, donating thousands to the Trust’s JustGiving page, while AFC’s board directors donated 10% of April’s season ticket sales.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the campaign or get involved should email info@afc.co.uk.