An Aberdeen FC supporter has spoken of his delight after the Dons gave him a signed shirt to be auctioned off to help Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s staff garden appeal.
And former train driver, Paul Breen BEM, who suffered a potentially deadly brain aneurysm seven ago years told the Press and Journal yesterday he was “bursting with pride” at the gesture “from the club I have supported my entire life to help the hospital staff who saved my life.”
Mr Breen has worked with a number of people at ARI, including former chaplain, Reverend James Falconer, to help create green spaces at the city facility. He has also taken part in his own fundraising ventures to boost his hospital.
And he paid tribute to Claire Robertson of AFC Community Trust and Lynn Fiske at AFC, who have donated a signed shirt to the garden project.
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He said: “I am auctioning the signed shirt on my Facebook page on behalf of the Staff Garden project.
“As I have absolutely no wish for money to be sent to me, the winner of the auction will be the person who offers to donate the most to the Staff Garden project on the Official Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nhsgstaffgarden
“This is to ensure that all proceeds go directly to the staff garden project.
“Once Rev Falconer has confirmed the donation has been made, the winner can either collect the shirt from him or have it sent to them.
“The auction is being held over the next two weeks and the closing date is 8pm on Sunday, March 10. The highest bid currently stands at £120.
“We will have to wait and see what happens in the days ahead, but personally I am absolutely bursting with pride that the team I have supported my entire life has done this wonderful thing for the staff and the hospital who saved my life.”
A spokesman for the Dons said the SPFL club was delighted to back the scheme and added they were hoping it would amass a significant contribution for the appeal.
He added: “The staff garden is an excellent initiative and it is one which the club fully supports.
“We are only too happy to help by donating the signed shirt which will hopefully raise some much-needed funds.”