More than 300 children took part in St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation’s Fit & Fed programme this summer, with 60 free sessions delivered across six weeks in Renfrewshire.
The programme ran at Ferguslie Sports Centre and Renfrew Leisure Centre. It gave children the chance to stay active, enjoy healthy food and take part in activities throughout the school holidays.
With the school holidays often bringing additional costs for families, the free programme provides activities and food at a time when household budgets can be under pressure.
The Foundation also works with schools and local organisations to reach families experiencing financial hardship.
The Scottish Government and The Merchants House of Glasgow continue to be significant funders of Fit & Fed, while Meals & More has recently extended its support.
Meals & More has provided further funding through to Easter 2027. This will help children attending Fit & Fed continue to have access to healthy food and snacks during the school holidays.
Martin Cavan, Community Development Manager at St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, said: “The past six weeks of the Fit & Fed summer camp have been a fantastic success. It’s been wonderful to see so many children and young people getting active, enjoying nutritious food, making new friends and having fun in a safe and welcoming environment.
“The dedication of the staff and volunteers has made a real difference and we are incredibly proud of what gas been achieved throughout the summer.
“We are already looking forward to the next one.”
Support from St Mirren FC also saw first-team players visit the programme during the summer.
Captain Marcus Fraser, Jayden Richardson and Jacob Chapman took part in question-and-answer sessions and joined children for football.
St Mirren WFC players Aimee Machett and Kimberly Gill also visited and spoke to children about their experiences in football.
The programme included educational activities and community visits alongside football.
GU Rocketry brought STEM activities to Ferguslie Sports Centre, including rocket launches.
Younger children attending the Renfrew camp visited Renfrew Fire Station and Renfrew Community Library.
One of the Foundation’s coaches also delivered a football analysis workshop, giving older children an insight into another side of the game.
Foundation coaches delivered activities, trips and special visits throughout the six-week programme.
Photo: St Mirren players Henry Fieldson and Jayden Richardson join a youngster during the Fit & Fed summer programme
Photo credit: St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Photo: A youngster tries on a firefighter’s helmet during a visit to Renfrew Fire Station
Photo credit: St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Photo: A youngster enjoys a reading activity during the Fit & Fed programme
Photo credit: St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Photo: St Mirren players Garrick McEvoy and Luke Thomas meet a youngster during the Fit & Fed summer programme
Photo credit: St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Photo: Youngsters take part in football during St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation’s Fit & Fed programme
Photo credit: St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Photo: A youngster poses for a selfie with St Mirren players Marcus Fraser and Keanu Baccus during the Fit & Fed programme
Photo credit: St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Photo: A youngster takes part in a rocket activity during the Fit & Fed programme
Photo credit: St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Photo: Two kids enjoy food provided as part of St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation’s Fit & Fed programme
Photo credit: St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation