GENEROUS football fans have raised more than £800,000 for a Renfrewshire-based veterans charity over the past decade.

The kind-hearted members of the Rangers Supporters Erskine Appeal (RSEA) have worked tirelessly to support the Erskine charity, which cares for veterans at its Bishopton estate. 

Over the years, money has been raised through can collections, sponsored walks, and the selling of merchandise at Rangers games. 

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Formed in 2007, Paisley born Tom Clark had the initial idea to try and raise £1,000 amongst his fellow fans for the Scottish ex-service charity, hoping the money would be spent on a special treat for the men and women supported by Erskine. 

The Gazette: Murray Roxburgh, from RSEA, Erskine chief executive Ian Cumming MBE, Erskine resident Lilias Holmes and Paisley man Tom Clark, from RSEA. They are standing beside a statue named Harry after Harold Davis, which was presented to the charity on its centenary yearMurray Roxburgh, from RSEA, Erskine chief executive Ian Cumming MBE, Erskine resident Lilias Holmes and Paisley man Tom Clark, from RSEA. They are standing beside a statue named Harry after Harold Davis, which was presented to the charity on its centenary year

However, after just 12 months of fundraising, RSEA had raised a whopping £34,000 and had been embraced by Rangers supporters across the country. 

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Tom said: “We are delighted with the monies raised and I am so proud to be part of the Rangers family who have made this happen. We have now reached a point where we can genuinely set a realistic target of raising £1million.”

Sara Bannerman, head of fundraising and communications at Erskine, said: “There is so much we would not have been able to achieve without their support.”

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