Ballymena United players, officials and supporters have rallied to raise over £3,500 to help provide additional scrubs for frontline NHS carers in their local area.

Fundraising to date have included a sweepstake for the Virtual Grand National (which sold out three times over), a donation from the senior club, donations from various supporter’s clubs, individual donations from fans and money raised from Youth Academy player Cameron Eagleson and his father Billy for shaving their heads for the cause.

Ballymena United’s Community Relations Officer, Iain Black said “All the money is going to the Ballymena and Antrim NI Scrubs group. We're working through Clare Caulfield of the Ballymena Bravehearts, who is a close friend of the club and is one of the main organisers locally of the NI Scrubs effort.”

“Everyone in the club is connected to someone on the front line fighting Covid-19; including members of staff and many of our supporters. Football clubs play a hugely important role in the community want to ensure that the group have as much money to be able to purchase the materials and equipment as possible. As a football club we can do nothing without the backing of the fans, players and staff who have put their hands in their pockets and pledged their support.”

The renewed community spirit was underpinned by a club message from manager David Jeffrey in a motivational video posted on club channels inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem, ‘If’.

Iain explained “The idea originated internally and was led by captain Jim Ervin and the players. The reaction has been great to the video. I think there's a feeling of community, even just for a few minutes, to see the players, Bryan and David coming together albeit in their own houses. It ultimately reinforces the key messages of this time, stay at home, look after yourself and others and we'll all be back together on the other side of this.”

The latest initiative backed by the Braidmen is the ‘Cash 4 Tache’ campaign - a take on the popular 'Movember' fundraiser – which is currently underway amongst players and supporters and will continue until Saturday 2 May. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bufccash4tache.