Loco's steam ahead for charities
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Inverurie Loco Works players and management team as a squad pulled on their running shoes as part of a fundraiser to say thanks to the NHS as well as contributing to three local charities that are close to the club.
Those are MND Association, Northsound Cash For Kids and Befriend a Child for whom the team created the Locos24 Team Challenge.
Each participant ran for one hour over a 24-hour period on Saturday starting with Greg Mitchell.
At the end of the 24 hour period the distances were tallied up, posted on social media and then a nomination for another SHFL, junior or amateur team to take on the challenge was made.
To start this fundraiser the Locos players generously donated their kitty money accumulated from fines throughout the season 19/20 and in addition, have also topped this amount up.
Over the 24hr period the team successfully covered a fantastic 310.09km and to date have raised over £6000.
Alongside players from the squad, Barry Gibb also completed a superb 12.27km to cover for any injuries that thankfully never occurred.
Inverurie Locos manager, Andy Low on the challenge said: “It was something that I just came up with, I was quite keen to do something that would just keep the team active in terms of that we haven't seen a lot of each other and I felt like team spirit wise, I wanted to try and create something that would keep the team spirit going.
“So I was just sitting in the office one day and I came up with the idea.
“And then bounced the idea off of our captain who was also very keen on it.
“So right away from there it just grew from that.”
“The big thing for me was I missed the team spirit side of things that you get at football and we just tried to come up with something that would get the guys speaking and also a little challenge that would keep them motivated so they bought right into it right away.
“As soon as we put the suggestion to them they loved it and they were also kind enough to donate their money that they have been raising and the money that they put together at the side for an end of season trip every year.
“The players are keen to put money to charity so when I came up with this suggestion for them, right away they said they wanted to put all their money into this to start it up which was a nice touch for them as well”.
Their initial fundraising target was £1000 but they have now reached a total of £6287 including gift aid.
Manager Andy added: “The players are very open to other community events.
“If you put anything to the players they are an honest bunch.
“When you put any community ideas to them they tend to jump on them right away.
“So at this moment when there is no football its all about trying to keep the guys motivated as much as possible.
“It worked in a lot of ways for us”
Inverurie locals have passed the challenge onto Buckie Thistle, Colony Park Juniors and Keith Football Club.
Donations can still be made online via https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/locos24
