A United Front

Scottish charity Thistle Foundation has joined forces with Joppa United under-14 boys’ football team to raise awareness of their work within Edinburgh. The charity (headquarters in Craigmillar) supports people living with disabilities and health conditions. Through a link with customer Stephan Tait, Thistle Foundation came across Joppa United and felt that a local partnership was the ideal way to engage with communities across the city.

Stephan, one of the team’s coaches, receives 24 hour support from Thistle Foundation. He has spent his entire life in a wheelchair… not your average football coach! Stephan has been supported by the charity since 2006. He was impressed by the fact that they recognised he should have control over his own life, recruiting his own team of support staff for example. Colin Rose is Stephan’s Team Leader and is also the link with Joppa United; he and stepdad Cameron Lovie established the team in 2007. Football is just one of Stephan’s passions; another is acting. He recent enjoyed a lead role in Huxley’s Lab, but football is set firmly in his sights once again. He attends the team’s training sessions and games, and also holds a Hearts season ticket, despite being a Rangers fan! Family comes first; his dad is a Hearts fan so they watch the Saturday game together.

Thistle Foundation and Joppa United make a natural team – not only do they both push boundaries in terms of disability, but they also recognise the importance of community. Thistle works closely with people from Craigmillar, for example offering free gym sessions through its ‘Fit for Free’ initiative. And with Joppa United is now in its third year, the team is well-placed to help Thistle Foundation raise awareness of its work.

Diana Paton, Chief Executive of Thistle Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Joppa United. Not only is there a strong personal link, but also a wider community focus that will help us raise awareness of our work.”

Notes to Editors
For more information on Thistle Foundation please visit www.thistle.org.uk or contact Lucy Morgan, Communications Officer, on 0131 661 9287 or lucy.morgan@thistle.org.uk.

For more information on Joppa United please contact Colin Rose, Head Coach, on 07889256116 or colin.rose@thistle.org.uk.