Brightest Star were the latest recipients of Help a Buddie tickets as they attended Saturday's 5-1 win over Kilmarnock at The SMiSA Stadium.
The local charity was chosen by members of the 1877 Supporters Club committee who collect donation money every at every home match which is set aside for Help a Buddie.
Brightest Star were given 15 tickets for Saturday's match and set up a table in the 1877 Supporters Club prior to kick-off to tell supporters about the work the charity carries out.
Arlene Smith, Founder of Brightest Star told stmirren.com: "This is our fourth visit to St Mirren through Help a Buddie, and each time has been fantastic.
A family going through bereavement, particularly of a child, has to incur lots of costs outwith the obvious things such as a funeral. So getting some of our families along to the football without the usual costs is an amazing gesture by the supporters.
Iain McNair is a member of the 1877 Club Committee. He explained: "We have a guess the time of the first goal competition every match. The money make is split between the person who has the winning guess and Help a Buddie tickets.
It’s great to know our money is going towards helping people get to the football who otherwise wouldn’t be able to come."
"Last season we raised enough to buy 35 Help a Buddie tickets, and this season we set out with the goal of buying 40. We have already bought 38, so we are looking good to hit that target!"
Brightest Star
Brightest Star is a charity that was set up in 2012 by Arlene Smith following the sudden passing of her son, Jack. The charity delivers support to families going through bereavement.
They support families in a number of ways including through Memory Boxes, Grief Counselling, and offering children Play Therapy.
The charity has also funded a special ambulance called 'Jack’s Ambulance' which is equipped with enough space to accommodate beds for baby twins, or an adult bed, whilst still having space for the family of the patient to travel in the ambulance with them.
St Mirren Supporters Liaison Officer and Chair of the 1877 Club, Karin Pointon said: "Working as a nurse I, unfortunately, see Jack’s Ambulance a lot and Brightest Star have provided families in need vital medical equipment and a place to be together."
You can find out more about Brightest Star by clicking HERE.
The Ticket Recipients
Colin Neil sadly lost his son Logan in 2021, and has been a part of Brightest Star since, with his family using their services.
"It’s a club no one wants to be a part of, but we gained so many friends through Brightest Star and to have a day out at the football with them means the world to us."
He continued: "My partner’s dad and grandad supported St Mirren, so to bring their second and third generation to a game means a lot to them, and we even had a drive around Paisley and showed my son Lucas where his heritage is.
A massive thank you to St Mirren and their supporters who have given so much to Brightest Star over the years. This is the second time I have been here with Help A Buddie and it is great to have a day out like this without the financial pressure."
Arlene is also grateful to St Mirren supporters for their generosity.
Today gives families a chance to build happy memories, with the knowledge that they’re here because of their brother, sister, or child so it is so special to them."
Help a Buddie
Help a Buddie is an initiative where St Mirren supporters can purchase and donate match tickets to those less fortunate.
Karin Pointon commented: "The vision of the Football Club is to be the best community club in Scotland and within that, and within my role as SLO, it is vitally important that we give back to the community, and Help a Buddie does that."
We have been able to welcome a varied array of community groups and projects from across Paisley and Renfrewshire to the SMiSA Stadium since the project launched in 2022.
To donate a Help A Buddie ticket please click the link HERE.
