Ross County stars have joined forces with cancer support charity Maggie’s Highlands to urge people from across the north to sign up for a sponsored walk.
About 80 fans took part in last year’s “Staggies Walk for Maggie’s” fundraiser – but this year the organisers hope to more than treble that number to 300.
The five-mile sponsored walk will take place on Saturday, October 1, prior to Ross County’s home game against St Johnstone.
Everyone who takes part in the walk will receive a free match-day ticket, medal and will be paraded on the pitch at half-time.
Club manager Jim McIntyre joined Andrew Benjamin of Maggie’s Highlands and midfielder Martin Woods at Victoria Park yesterday to launch the fundraising drive.
Mr McIntyre said: “Ross County Football Club are delighted to be working with Maggie’s again on this fantastic fundraising event, Staggies Walk for Maggies.
“As someone whose family has been touched by cancer I am also personally proud to be involved with promoting the event and I would urge every one of our fans out there to sign up for it and support this fantastic cause.
“I believe the charity has set a target of 300 people to take part in the walk so it would be amazing if this could be achieved so sign up now.”
Mr Woods echoed the words of his boss, saying: “I’d urge every Ross County fan and people in the community to sign up for the Staggies for Maggies sponsored walk.
“Myself and the team are delighted to support the event.
“Maggies is such a great organisation and does tremendous work in the local community with those affected by cancer so we want to see as much money raised as possible to enable them to help even more people.”
Last year’s event raised more than £7,500 for the charity, which offers free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends across the Highlands and islands.
Mr Benjamin, centre fundraising manager at Maggie’s Highlands, said: “Everyone at Maggie’s Highlands is delighted that Ross County Football Club are working with us to support Maggie’s.
“As a charity, we rely entirely on voluntary donations to be able to keep our doors open for people with cancer and their family and friends and to be able to develop the programme of support that we offer.”