Andy Devaney
Rangers supporters showed their mettle at Ibrox over the weekend, turning out in force for one of the club’s most meaningful community events. More than 180 Rangers fans spent a night pitchside in the cold, trading home comforts for sleeping bags in a united push to raise money for homelessness charities across Glasgow.
They weren’t just watching the action this time—they were living a sliver of the hardship faced by thousands in the city every night. Ibrox can feel imposing at the best of times, but when the temperature drops and the stands fall silent, the place becomes a stark reminder of the reality so many people endure.
This year’s Sleep Outs brought together supporters of all ages, joined by Rangers Academy youngsters Arran Kerr and Greig Thackray, who decided they were old enough to defend a set-piece and hardy enough to take on a freezing November night. Players across the First Teams also backed the effort, reinforcing how deeply the community pulse runs through the club.
First-team goalkeeper Jack Butland didn’t mince his words: “The Rangers Big Ibrox Sleep Out is a hugely important event. It raises awareness and vital funds for homelessness in Glasgow. Our front-of-shirt sponsors – 32Red – are big supporters of this initiative.
This year they contributed £10 to each and every person who braved the cold November night. All those who took part deserve enormous praise and they should be heartened that their collective efforts are directly helping tackle homelessness in the city. Well done to everyone involved.”
The money raised will be split straight down the middle. Half goes to Glasgow City Mission and Simon Community Scotland—two organisations on the front line of homelessness support. The other half fuels the Rangers Charity Foundation’s wide-reaching work in the local community.
Club sponsor 32Red stepped in early, covering the first £10 of each participant’s total and laying on a hot breakfast for the bleary-eyed fundraisers the following morning. As corporate gestures go, it’s one that actually means something.
Adam Gaskell, Head of UK Brand Marketing at FDJ United, put it plainly: “We’re proud to be supporting Rangers Charity Foundation and their work in the local community. At 32Red, our sponsorships are built to benefit communities, so we are honoured to be able to help such an important cause with the Big Ibrox Sleep Out once again.
We’ve supported this event for many years now and it never ceases to amaze us how much the participants give and their overwhelming generosity. It is a fantastic and important initiative that Rangers fans should be extremely proud of.”
The final fundraising total will be revealed in mid-December, but one thing’s already clear—this wasn’t just a night on the ground. It was another reminder of how powerful football can be when a club and its supporters pull in the same direction.
Donations to the Big Ibrox Sleep Out remain open for anyone who wants to back the cause.
The full total raised from this year’s Sleep Outs will be announced in mid-December. You can still donate to the Big Ibrox Sleep Out here.
