Charity boss Gayle will have a ball at Holyrood
Saints foundation chief chosen by MSP as community hero
The boss of a football club’s charity arm is heading to Holyrood as a community champion for Renfrewshire
Gayle Brannigan is the chief executive of the St Mirren Charitable Foundation.
She’s been chosen for the honour by Paisley MSP George Adam for her “months of dedicated work during the pandemic”.
Her nomination follows on from West Scotland MSP Russell Findlay revealing that inspiring Lochwinnoch amputee Corinne Hutton is also going to the Royal opening of the new session of the Scottish Parliament.
Gayle will be George’s guest and will dine with The Queen and Prince Charles after the ceremony on October 2.
She said: “The St Mirren Charitable Foundation and our partners have been supporting individuals across Paisley since we relaunched in 2018 and it’s been a privilege to see the positive impact we’ve had on the community in such a short space of time.
“When everything stopped on March 23 last year, all of us at the foundation knew we had to continue to be as active within the community as we possibly could.
“Although moving to digital platforms and engaging with participants over Zoom, Whatsapp, email and by phone was definitely something we never expected, it allowed us to reach out to even more people and make sure everyone who needed it had support during the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic.
“The outpouring of support we had from the fans and Renfrewshire community during this very difficult period is something we will never forget – particularly for our Festive Friends initiative on Christmas Day where so many volunteers turned up to help us deliver Christmas
“Dinner, hampers and gifts to over 200 elderly and vulnerable local people that they were literally queued around the stadium.
“I have never experienced community spirit like this, and it was such a special day for everyone involved and really humbling that these amazing people helped us to deliver to all these homes in one hour.
“It was astonishing.
“I am delighted by George’s decision in choosing me as his community champion and look forward to visiting parliament next month and continuing to highlight our wonderful town and the great work of the St Mirren Charitable Foundation.”
Paisley MSP George said choosing his “community hero” this year was no mean feat.
He said: “Many people have shown exemplary commitment to their community under the most difficult of circumstances and if it was up to me, I would choose each and every single one of them.
“However Gayle Brannigan and her team at the St Mirren Charitable Foundation have gone above and beyond this past year,
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This £5 in-shop bet in valid on the Joshua vs Usyk fight on Saturday September 25, 2021 only - bets must be redeemed 30 minutes before match commencement. and have really been heroes in delivering multiple services and ensuring anyone who needed it was supported and wasn’t left isolated during the multiple lockdowns we’ve faced.
“The St Mirren Charitable Foundation has always been an organisation close to my heart and as a proud Buddie and football fan myself, I have long been impressed with the way in which the foundation has used sport and a love of the game to positively impact the health and well-being of so many within our community.”