Police v fire service football tournament to raise cash for charity
Blue lights will make way for floodlights in Dingwall this weekend, as the Highlands Battle of the Badges tournament gets underway in aid of The Archie Foundation.
Tickets are still available for the eagerly anticipated event, which takes place at the Jubilee Pitches at 11am on Saturday (June 22) with kick-off at 12pm, just next to Ross County’s Global Energy Stadium.
The fundraiser is a chance for teams from the police and fire service to put their footballing skills to the test as they take to the pitch to find out which service will come out on top.
Tickets are on sale now via The Archie Foundation’s website, priced at £10 for adults, £5 for children and free for under 2s.
Tickets will be available online until Friday and can also be bought on the day of the event.
The fundraising total is currently sitting at £866 for Team Police and £1,413.36 for Team Fire, raising a fantastic £2,279.36 so far for The Archie Foundation ahead of Saturday’s event.
Along with the big match, visitors will be able to enjoy face painting, fayre games, a tombola, tuck shop and an Archie merchandise stall.
The footballers will be supported by mascots, including youngsters who have benefited from The Archie Foundation’s work while they have been in hospital.
Morag Alexander is mum to Ross, age eight from Inverness, who will proudly take to the pitch on Saturday.
“When we saw The Archie Foundation was looking for children to become a mascot for Battle of the Badges, we thought what a great opportunity for our family to give back to such a wonderful charity.
“Ross was born with problems relating to his bowel and required an operation in Aberdeen.
“This was successful, however we realised that he had possibly a more life limiting condition diagnosed, and as a result Ross spent most of his first two years of life in both Raigmore and the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, before transferring to Newcastle for a bone marrow transplant.
“During this time the support Archie gave to Ross and our family was outstanding – from providing toys and support from the play leaders on the ward, to the residential family centre at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, where we were able to take some time out from living on the ward.”
Funds raised for the Archie Foundation go towards benefiting the lives of many other children like Ross and their families.
Services include financial support, supporting maternity and neonatal services and Archie’s Child Bereavement Service amongst many other projects.
“Our gratitude and thanks will never stretch far enough to cover the support we are still so lucky to have,” added Morag.
“Ross still attends appointments and has therapies in the children’s unit at Raigmore, and it’s there that we saw the flyers to become a mascot.
“Being a huge footy fan, we thought this was a great way to show our appreciation and raise some money to help other families going through a medical journey.”
Zoe Grant, regional fundraising officer at The Archie Foundation in Inverness, is looking forward to an exciting day.
“The mascots play a vital role in the Battle of the Badges and each mascot is paired with a player from one of the two teams.
“It’s a hugely rewarding experience as well as a family friendly day out!”
Tickets can be purchased at https://archie.org/events/battle-of-the-badges-highland/ or at the Jubilee Pitches on the day.
For more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation, visit www.archie.org/getsupport/
