Saints fans march for charities

Jan 9 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

ST JOHNSTONE supporters will be stepping out tomorrow in a bid to boost the club’s youth development strategy and two local charities, writes Gordon Bannerman.

The club have a free weekend before facing Rangers in Tuesday’s Scottish Cup tie at McDiarmid Park.

And Saints have supported an initiative kicked-off on the Weareperth website.

Tomorrow’s sponsored walk will start at the Crieff Road stadium at 11am, with fans being encouraged to sport their Saints colours.

The PRI Macmillan Palliative Care Unit appeal and Perthshire Abandoned Dog Society will share in the proceeds, along with the football club’s youth programme.

The club have agreed to open the Muirton suite for walkers and their supporters. They are laying on free soup for the walkers.

Saints players will be at McDiarmid preparing for the cup game against Rangers.

Fans will be walking while the players go through their preparations and a few of may mingle with fans in the Muirton suite after the walk.

Donations from fans eager to sponsor a walker have been pouring into Junior Jeanfield 208 walkers through the Jeanfield 208 Paypal account. Go to www.paypal.co.uk

The account name is JEANFIELD208SAINTS@HOTMAIL.CO.UK

Money raised through the paypal account will be paid directly to St Johnstone, who have agreed to distribute cash to the two charities.

A fan tagged Ginger Baker at Weareperth said: “ We’d like to thank the club for the support they have given in making this event happen and the supporters and donors for making it a success.”

Anyone who wants to join tomorrow’s walk can still pick-up a form from the club’s ticket office or email enquiries@perthsaints.co.uk.

Ginger said: “Fans are expected to turn out with their flags and scarves and there may even be an appearance from the Jeanfield208 Pink ladies!”

The Perthshire Advertiser will be on hand to photograph and film tomorrow’s event. Pictures will appear in Tuesday’s PA and the video will be available at www.perthshireadvertiser.co.uk website and also the paper's Youtube channel http://uk.youtube.com/perthshireadvertiser