Edinburgh businessman helps young players step out in SCAA style

Players at Beechwood FC Under-16s are helping promote SCAA this season thanks to the generosity of an Edinburgh businessman.

Mark Turnbull, proprietor of Turnbull & Sons Roofing and Building, was keen to help when the youth football team based in the west of the city appealed for sponsors to help buy the players new kit.

Mark is a supporter of the air ambulance charity and his son plays for the team so he saw an opportunity to support two causes important to him at the same time.

"Beechwood is a small local club and I know they need financial help to keep going,” he said, "and SCAA is a great cause that covers hard to reach areas in Scotland and local areas too when time means everything."

Mark approached SCAA with the novel idea of donating his shirt sponsorship on Beechwood’s new playing kit to the charity. And as a result, Beechwood FC's young players now run out in style with the SCAA logo emblazoned on their strips.

Kate Loades, Community Fundraiser at SCAA, was delighted at the opportunity to feature as Beechwood u16s shirt sponsor.

“We are really grateful for Mark’s kindness and generosity,” she said. “Opportunities like this are a fantastic way to help raise awareness of SCAA and we hope it will encourage people to support the charity.

“Mark’s donation is another great example of people’s creativity when it comes to supporting the charity,” said Ms Loades. “We have also recently had someone run 13k dressed as Shrek, families sleeping out in their gardens and a fantastic Colouring-In challenge all raising funds and awareness of SCAA."

John Robertson, volunteer coach at Beechwood u16s, is also grateful to Mr. Turnbull for the shirt sponsorship.

“A big thanks to Mark for providing the funds for our new playing kit,” he said. “Beechwood is a small football club and one of our biggest expenses is providing players with kit that fits."

Mr. Robertson is glad Beechwood u16s are helping raise awareness of SCAA.

“I had no idea SCAA's air ambulance helicopters relied completely on public fundraising,” he said. “I hope appearing as our shirt sponsor can raise awareness and make a difference.”