Sir Alex supports church campaign

Aug 28 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

Sir Alex supports church campaign

ONE of the most successful managers in British footballing history has helped to kick-start a Hamilton church’s fund-raising campaign.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has kindly donated a signed match football to Hamilton Old Parish Church to be included in their silent auction.

Inscribed on the ball will include names such as Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand.

The auction will be held on Friday, September 5, and the proceeds used to help fund events planned to mark the church’s 275th anniversary next year.

The football from Manchester United has a unique number and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

The ball was obtained by John Neil OBE, an elder in the church, who has given a lifetime of service to the Boys’ Brigade and as Brigade President for the UK and Republic of Ireland has regular contact with Sir Alex.

The former Aberdeen and Scotland boss is a very proud and active former member of the 129th Glasgow Company of the Boys’ Brigade.

Jim Shaw, an elder at the church and a member of the auction project team, said: “We hope to raise enough funds to hold a number of events next year to celebrate the anniversary of the church.

“The funds will ultimately be put straight back into the community as we have a programme of events lined up for next year which will involve young people.”

Local businesses have donated items for the auction, including a meal-for-two in a top local restaurant and designer shirts.

Tickets can be purchased at £2 each from the Church Office and complimentary refreshments including all home baking favourites will be available on the night.

A wide range of quality articles will be available for sale such as crystal, sports goods, glassware, paintings and jewellery. Many items will be new and boxed.

Donations of additional articles for sale will be gratefully received and anyone wishing to donate can contact Sam McHarg on 01698 891685 or Jim Naismith on 01698 283254.

The ball will be on show at the silent auction and will be available for sale to the highest bidder.

If you would like to bid for the ball but are unable to attend the event, you can post your bid, including your name, address and daytime telephone, to the Hamilton Advertiser, Press Buildings, Editorial, Campbell Street, Hamilton, ML3 6AX to be received no later than noon on Friday, September 5. The minimum bid is £30.

These bids will be passed to the auction team for inclusion that evening.

The highest bid will become the opening bid at the silent auction event which starts at 7pm that night.

If you are really keen to obtain the ball for which there is sure to be fierce competition, you will have to go along to the silent auction on the evening where you will be able to top up your bid.