ALBERT BARTLETT AND AR26 JOIN FORCES

Albert Bartlett are proud to have joined forces with AR26 Charity, founded and led by Scotland Captain Andy Robertson MBE, to bring free fun, food and football to young people aged 6-14 years in and around Airdrie.

Andy and his wife created AR26 Charity in 2020 to create chances for children and young people across Scotland, to close the gap on disadvantage and level the playing field – supporting those all-important first chances in life. The charity aims to do this via three core programmes delivered across Scotland: Football for All, Hope for Youths and AR26 Experiences.

The programme delivers free weeknight fun and football in the heart of the communities it is delivered in, where the on and off the pitch education and engagement is of equal importance. The weeknight sessions are complemented by free, fun, food and football school holiday camps. As well as benefiting participants the programme also supports families and the wider community by taking young people off the street in a free, safe and engaging activity led by role model coaches during peak times of boredom and anti-social behaviour. The provision also brings volunteering and job opportunities to local residents and engages with third party organisations to engage with the programme to showcase their offering and further support participants and their families.

Albert Bartlett will help support an average of 80 6-14 years each week via free Tuesday night football. We will also support around 70 families with free, fun, food and football across Summer, October and Easter holidays, providing a lifeline for many families.

Amanda Nisanci, AR26 Charity, Head of Partnerships said:

“Having Albert Bartletts support in allowing us to launch a new Football for All region in Airdrie is extremely exciting. From the outset their commitment to their local community is inspiring and this forward-thinking partnership will allow us to go above and beyond the frontline programme itself by providing that further wrap-around support service to our beneficiaries’ families. Albert Bartlett is fully invested and already are bringing creative ideas on how together we can further support our beneficiaries and their families as well as fully immersing Albert Bartlett staff in the partnership. We are thrilled to be launching the partnership at our first Summer holiday Football for All Camp in Airdrie and excited for the year ahead.”

Alex Bartlett, Albert Bartlett, said:

We are delighted to be supporting this fantastic new initiative in our hometown of Airdrie, as we celebrate our 75th year it is exciting to still work on new projects that enhance the community that has been at the heart of our business since we started trading back in 1948. The AR26 team, headed by Andy Robertson, do a fantastic job, and truly makes a difference to the individuals and communities they engage with, and we are excited to see what the team deliver in our local area.  Through our new partnership we will not only support young people to get involved in sport and healthy eating activities but will also showcase career opportunities available to young people in our business and across the wider food industry, as well as giving our own team the chance to get involved with volunteering throughout the year. We are excited to kick start the partnership with the first summer holiday Football for All camp on the 7th of July and look forward to seeing it build in the months ahead.