Hibernian FC vice-captain Liam Fontaine has scored a fundraising winner after deciding to shave off his trademark beard for charity – with fans across the world offering to make donations.
Liam, whose target was £1,000, surpassed his expectations by raising a total of £2100 for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation – despite only starting the appeal two days ago.
The Hibs squad spent time at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, just before Christmas which inspired the defender to allow his team-mates to shave off his impressive beard for the first time in five months to support the charity.
After having his beard shaved off at the club’s pre-match press conference on Friday 15th January Liam said: “The Sick Kids Friends Foundation does great work and I wanted to do something to help out.
“The response from supporters, Hibernian fans and others, has been overwhelming.
“We aimed for £1k which we thought would be great to hit, but we’ve doubled it and donations are still coming in. It has snowballed beyond expectations and I am so grateful for everyone’s generosity.
“Supporters can still donate and we’d love to raise as much as possible, so if you are able to please visit the Just Giving page and donate what you can. The effort is much appreciated by everyone.”
Three lucky supporters who donated to the cause will also be in with the chance of winning a special prize. Liam will be giving away a pair of signed football boots, a signed training top and a personalised signed photograph and the winners will be announced on Monday 18 January via the Hibernian website and social media channels.
The Sick Kids Friends Foundation exist to transform the experiences of children and young people in hospital so they can be a child first and a patient second.
Roslyn Neely, CEO of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We are so thankful to Liam for deciding to raise money for us. It’s such a great – and fun – gesture and we really can’t thank him enough.
“As a result of what we do children and young people’s lives are less interrupted by illness; they are less scared of hospital and a have a positive experience. Children and young people’s families are better supported too both at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children here in Edinburgh and in their local communities.
“We do this by providing enhanced facilities, equipment and distractions and it is the generosity of Liam, and the others who raise money for us, which allows us to continue doing this.”
If you would like to donate you can do so by visiting Liam Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/Liam-Fontaine
