Donation welcomed by Broxburn Boot Bank set up to help with cost of kids' sports
An initiative that helps families in West Lothian tackle the cost of their children taking part in sports received a donation of footwear and equipment from Gregor Poynton MP.
The MP for the Livingston constituency was joined by Jenny Young, Labour's candidate for the new Bathgate constituency in next May's Scottish Parliament election, during a recent visit to Broxburn United Sports Club where he handed over boots, shinguards and gloves.
Broxburn Boot Bank offers families access to football boots, shin pads, socks, and goalkeeper gloves that have been donated — at a reduced cost or free of charge, helping to ease the financial burden on parents and ensure every child has the opportunity to take part in sport.
The boot bank model is becoming increasingly popular across the country, with many local football clubs now operating similar schemes.
In addition to the boot bank, Broxburn United Sports Club delivers a wide range of community-focused programmes. These include health and wellbeing classes for adults and young people, as well as a disability coaching initiative – B Inspired, which provides inclusive opportunities for individuals of all abilities to engage in sport at their own pace.
Gregor Poynton, who has previously supported the club by sponsoring signage at the Albyn Park ground, commended the organisation's continued efforts.
He said: 'The football boot bank is a fantastic addition to an already community-driven club.
'As MP for the Livingston constituency, I'm committed to supporting families in need and ensuring young people have access to opportunities that promote physical health and wellbeing.
'Broxburn United is an outstanding club – constantly growing and now fielding a senior men's side, Broxburn Athletic, in the Lowland League. We wish the team all the best for the season ahead.
'Initiatives like the boot bank make a real difference, and I hope this contribution helps give more young people the chance to enjoy football over the summer.'
Jenny Young added: 'This is a fantastic initiative that helps make sport more accessible to children in Broxburn.
'It was a pleasure to meet some of the coaches and learn more about the wide range of activities available for our young people.
'As a former teacher, I understand just how important sport and physical activity are in helping young people develop new skills, build confidence, and have fun. I look forward to supporting the club in any way I can.'
A spokesperson for Broxburn United Sports Club said: 'We are delighted to receive the donation of boots, shin pads and gloves to add to our boot and equipment bank.
'The donation from Gregor Poynton MP will be distributed to children at very reasonable prices or free of charge.
'This donation supports children's participation in football by breaking down barriers linked to the cost of living. Boots and equipment are recycled, further highlighting our commitment to our sustainability ambitions'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
17 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Jimmy Thelin leaves Kevin Nisbet to Aberdeen transfer door open
The Scotland international appears to be out of the first-team plans at Millwall after a successful loan at Pittodrie last term Jimmy Thelin has refused to rule out a possible move to bring Kevin Nisbet back to Aberdeen. The Scotland international had a successful loan spell at Pittodrie last season, where he helped the Dons to lift the Scottish Cup. Nisbet is just coming back from injury and hasn't been involved at Millwall, while Aberdeen need to add Scottish players for their European campaign. Thelin, when asked if he could move for Nisbet, answered: 'The window is the window. 'The way we are working, there can be changes in and out. We have to think about Aberdeen Football Club in the first way then think about individuals and getting game time. 'We will see if we can find something more that can strengthen us. 'If that's the case they maybe, we'll see.' The Dons have only been able to name a 20 man squad for their Europa League play-off clash with FCSB because they don't meet the homegrown or academy-trained criteria. Thelin has targeted Scottish players. His problem is that the likes of Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan have moved elsewhere. He confirmed: 'The competition is quite strong about some players we looked at and had talks with, yes. 'But let's see how the future looks. That's an overall plan we have and we're trying to work on that every season, so let's see in the future what's going to happen. 'I think you will see, I believe, in the next coming years some more from our academy and more recruitment from young Scottish players to build a strong core. 'It has to be the right ones and the right timing to get the game time they need.' Aberdeen are guaranteed group stage football but Thelin wants it to be in the Europa League rather than the Conference League. He stated: 'People can talk about a safety net but we don't think like that, we want to be in this competition. 'If we can get there, we'll have deserved it because we will have proved ourselves getting to that level. 'As a football manager, a club or a player you always want to compete against the best you can. 'That's how you grow, how do you cope with the pressure and use your squad? 'You always want to be the best version of yourself, so getting to the Europa League would be a good experience for everyone. 'We have pushed hard to prepare for these games, to be ready for it and now we are looking forward to these games. 'It wasn't long ago that Aberdeen was in the Conference League, now we want to be in the Europa League. 'That is part of this team growing, we want to use this to get better and better.'
Scottish Sun
17 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin refuses to rule out stunning Dons return for Scottish Cup hero
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JIMMY THELIN has refused to rule out a move to bring Scottish Cup hero Kevin Nisbet back to Aberdeen. The Pittodrie boss still needs one more striker despite the capture of Marko Lazetic from AC Milan earlier this week. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Kevin Nisbet was a Scottish Cup winner with Aberdeen Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Jimmy Thelin hasn't ruled out bringing him back Credit: PA Thelin, whose side play Romanians FCSB in the Europa League play-offs, is short of Scottish players in his squad so can't meet the quota without drafting in untested kids. Nisbet scored 14 goals during a loan from Millwall last season and started in their Scottish Cup final win over Celtic. Aberdeen can't afford to pay the wages it would take to bring him back to Pittodrie permanently, but could make another temporary pitch before next week's deadline. Asked whether Nisbet is an option, Thelin said: 'The window is the window. 'The way we are working, there can be changes in and out. 'We have to think about Aberdeen Football Club in the first way then think about individuals and getting game time. 'We will see if we can find something more that can strengthen us.' Nizzy is the ONLY Scot Thelin has signed during the three windows he's had as Dons boss. And after missing out on Dundee pair Josh Mulligan and Lyall Cameron this summer, the Swede admits it's tough attracting home-based players. He said: 'The competition is quite strong about some players we looked at and had talks with, yes. Eric Black on losing love for football & the ex-Celtic star who's the best he's ever seen 'But let's see how the future looks. 'That's an overall plan we have and we're trying to work on that every season, so let's see in the future what's going to happen. 'I think you will see, I believe, in the next coming years some more from our academy and more recruitment of young Scottish players to build a strong core. 'It has to be the right ones and the right timing to get the game time they need.' Thelin will make a late decision over whether to name Shayden Morris in his squad after he picked up a leg knock. He will be absent tonight but could make the second leg in Bucharest so may still be listed with Uefa. Thelin said: 'Shayden has a knock on his leg, that's the only reason, nothing else. 'We have to plan for the two games, Thursday's game is only the first half and the second half is next week. 'So we have to balance the squad in the best way to get through.' Aberdeen are guaranteed Conference League football even if they lose this tie but Thelin shot down claims tonight is a free hit. He said: 'We have to remember we are in the play-off for the Europa League. 'People can talk about a safety net but we don't think like that, we want to be in this competition. 'If we can get there, we'll have deserved it because we will have proved ourselves getting to that level. 'You always want to be the best version of yourself, so getting to the Europa League would be a good experience for everyone.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
STV News
17 minutes ago
- STV News
Celtic v Kairat: Rodgers names starting team for Champions League play-off
Brendan Rodgers has named his starting line-up as Celtic prepare to take on Kairat in the first leg of their Champions League play-off. The Kazakh side are in Glasgow to take on the Hoops for a place in Europe's top competition. Celtic have started the season well with three wins from their opening games of the campaign. The Scottish champions have defeated St Mirren and Aberdeen in the Premiership and Falkirk in the League Cup, scoring seven goals and only conceding one in the process. However, Kairat will represent their biggest test yet and they will be wanting a healthy lead to take to the away leg which will see them travel further east than Afghanistan. In addition to the prestige of Champions League football, they will earn around £50m if they reach the lucrative eight-game league phase of the tournament. Celtic got past the league phase last season as they reached the knockout phase of the competition for the first time in 12 years. And they will be aiming to reach at least as far again this campaign, but first they will have to get past Kairat, and a good home performance could be vital to their chances. Rodgers has started with Kasper Schmiechel in goals behind a back four of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, and Kieran Tierney. Captain Callum McGregor anchors a three-man midfield alongside Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren with James Forrest and Daizen Maeda either side of Adam Idah up front. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
