Calderbraes Football Club Pays Tribute To Former Player With Memorial Kit
Calderbraes Football Club has been gifted brand new strips for its under 16s boys' team thanks to a generous donation from a local Uddingston care home.
Rosepark Care Home, operated by Renaissance Care, proudly sponsored the club with a donation of £400 to fund the strips in memory of former player, Kyle McKean.
Kyle was a core member of the team who lost his life to bone cancer in 2021, at just 13 years old. The team has been committed to honouring his memory with a special gesture since his sad passing, and agreed that bespoke custom strips which carry his name and number at every match would be a fitting tribute.
The team have kept Kyle close to their hearts in the past two years, and now proudly wear KM5 (Kyle McKean, Number 5) embroidered on every strip and scarf in his memory.
In addition to the donation from Rosepark Care Home, members of Kyle’s team at Calderbraes went on to fundraise an astounding £17,000. The team organised various activities including a kids versus parents football match that raised a significant amount towards that total.
The fundraising was generously donated to the Schiehallion Ward at The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, a specialist ward which offers invaluable support to young people experiencing a similar journey to Kyle’s.
Lauren Kenny, Manager of Rosepark Care Home said: “Calderbraes Football Club is close to everyone at Rosepark's hearts, with the children of our staff and grandchildren of our residents either members of the squad or closely connected to the team.
“We consider our home and the residents within it a vibrant part of the local community. When they expressed that they wanted to support the squad, it was our honour to make it happen.
“Best of luck to the boys in their upcoming season. Everyone at Rosepark will be cheering you on and we know you will be wearing your new kits with pride.”
Kyle’s mother, Aileen McKean said: “I appreciate all the love and support from both Calderbraes Football Club and the local community in fundraising and keeping Kyle’s memory alive. This team is made up of some very special boys whose support has been monumental over the last few years.”
