Cummings hails charity partnership ahead of Plaster It Purple fixture

• 19 Apr 2024
• Features

Spend five minutes talking to Scott Cummings, and you will be left in no doubt regarding what Glasgow Warriors’ annual Plaster It Purple fixture means to those both at Scotstoun and beyond.

Whilst Franco Smith’s playing group will be looking to take care of BKT United Rugby Championship business on the field when the Hollywoodbets Sharks arrive at Scotstoun this Friday, the stands and stadium will be awash with purple as the club looks to raise as much money and awareness as possible for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

The fixture – now in its fourth season after its inception in 2020/21 – is just one element of the club’s long-standing partnership with the Glasgow-based charity, which has seen over £60,000 raised by the Warriors since first joining forces in 2018.

“The partnership means a lot to everyone at the club, and I think it’s such a special opportunity that we have to be able to dedicate a fixture to the team at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity,” said Cummings.

“The efforts everyone at the club, and at clubs across Glasgow, the west of Scotland and beyond, have been putting in to raise as much money as we can so far this season have been phenomenal, and to be able to highlight the amazing work that the charity does is brilliant.”

This season’s fixture marks the latest milestone in a season-wide fundraising campaign from the club, which has seen players, staff, grassroots clubs and supporters from across the Warrior Nation raise over £25,000 for the charity across the 2023/24 calendar to date.

It’s a campaign that Cummings and company have bought into wholeheartedly, with the club’s social media providing a purple flair in the weeks leading up to the Friday night clash.

“Whatever we can do to raise funds and awareness for the charity, everyone is ready to do their bit,” said the second-rower.

“We’ll have purple t-shirts from Macron that we’ll wear in the warm-up, purple socks, purple lineout tape and so on for the match, and a few of the boys have had a few forfeits they’ve had to do during the fortnight leading up to the match. Thankfully I’ve not been one of them!

“It’s an incredible charity and one close to the squad’s heart. We’ve been in every Christmas since 2018, and to see the work that the team do for the children and families in their care is truly inspirational. We just want to show as much support and appreciation for the hospital as we can.”

Indeed, it’s a partnership that continues to go from strength to strength, the Warriors embodying their ‘Inspire Our Community’ mantra by doing whatever it takes to make a difference to those most in need across Glasgow and Scotland.

With clubs including Ardrossan Accies, Cambuslang, GHA and GHK all hosting their own Plaster It Purple events to further bolster the fundraising efforts of the Warriors, Cummings is just one of a countless group of individuals ready to give back to the inspirational figures at Glasgow Children’s Hospital.

“The kids and their families go through a lot, but seeing how they tackle whatever is thrown at them – honestly it is such an inspiring thing,” said Cummings.

“The boys love visiting the kids at the hospital and putting a smile on their faces and it means a lot to the team. This game gives us the additional motivation to go out, put in a performance and give something back to the amazing team at the charity.

“We talk as a team about all of us having our own reasons behind why we play rugby, and everyone here buys into being a part of not only this club, but this city.

“There are guys who aren’t from Glasgow but have been here for years, who have now started families in Glasgow and for whom this community means so much. Any support we can give back is amazing.”

With a resurgent Sharks outfit lying in wait under the Friday night lights, too, the stage is set for a monumental evening at Scotstoun.

It’s a match – and an occasion – that Cummings is relishing, however, as the countdown to kick-off continues.

“It’s a massive game in the run-in,” he said.

“We’re still chasing the top four and the top two to try and secure home advantage in the playoffs, and we know every point we can pick up will be vital.

“The Sharks are a team who are definitely starting to hit their straps, and they’re getting to the sort of level that we know they can hit. They’re a physical group who can spring some really exciting backs off that platform, and we know it’s going to be a real test.

“Having said that, we wouldn’t have it any other way – these are the sort of tests that the BKT URC provides and they’re the sort of games that you absolutely love to be involved in. We’re really excited and it promises to be a brilliant occasion.”