Football has long been in the blood of many British people, but for many now, hunger and financial worries is becoming an increasing part of life for many.

 

That’s why Queen of the South football club and their supporters have joined forces with Dumfries based food bank charity “First Base Agency”.

 

First Base Agency on Buccleuch Street in the town’s main food bank and in the last 12 months they have handed out a staggering 4700 emergency food parcels. During this period they have received £37,500 of donated food from all corners of the local community.

 

Over recent years many voices suggested that community spirit was dead. The overwhelming support that has been shown for the work of First Base goes a long way to disproving this.

 

Now supporters groups from Queen of the South have made the decision to step up to the plate and help First Base to continue to address the spectre of local hunger and have set up collection points in the Queen of the South Arena for fans to bring donated food along when they come to watch a game.

 

Andy Cochrane of the Queens Trust, Ross Corbett and Queens director Mark Blount met with Mark Frankland of the First Base Agency to get the initiative of the ground. 

 

Mr Blount said “I’m sure all Queen Of The South FC supporters, supporters groups and the Queens Trust will be only to happy to help in this collective initiative between Queen Of The South FC and First Base Agency. Helping those less fortunate will once again give QUEENS fans the chance to show they are the Best Fans In The World when it comes to Supporting Their Club and Supporting Their Community. So c`mon QUEENS FANS show you are Premier League when it comes to Social Responsibility!”

  

“The great British obsession with twenty two guys kicking a football around an oblong of grass has been steadily growing for nearly a hundred and fifty years now. The world has changed beyond all recognition since those early days of heavy boots and even heavier balls. Back in those distant Victorian days, the local football ground was one of several locations where the community would come together on a regular basis. There were full pubs and working men’s clubs for guys at the end of their shift. There were equally full churches where souls were scrubbed clean on a weekly basis and here was the market and the corner shop.  Unforunately in some ways , much has changed.”

 

“However, the football stadium has become the last place where all generations of the community come together to share the same space. There are few bigger problems than having an empty cupboard and kids to feed”.

 

“Thankfully our community has refused to allow such a thing to happen and from its place at the very heart of the community, it is marvellous news that Queen of the South has stepped forward to help to make sure that nobody in our town should go without food”. 

 

Queens director, Mark Blount added - "We`re happy to have this joint initiative with the Trust and other supporters groups for such a deserving cause. Initially we will be accepting donations at the Arena on match days, and it would be great if supporters coming along to the game, could bring a little something with them".  

 

Supporters wishing to help us support this project can do so by bringing their donations to the Arena.  The best items to donate are UHT milk, cereal, cup a soups and meatballs.