The generosity of the Tartan Army during their recent visit to Georgia has been praised by the British ambassador in the country. Scotland fans handed out football strips to local charities and school children when they were in Tbilisi last month for the Euro 2008 qualifier.
The ambassador, Denis Keefe, has sent a message of thanks to a group of fans from the West End bar in Airdrie.
The International Women's Association has also expressed its gratitude.
Drinkers at the bar, who travelled to Tbilisi, collected almost 900 football strips of various Scottish teams and sizes.
Airdrie Football Club donated 50 kits from last season.
The fans arranged for staff at the British Embassy to meet them at the airport and take half the strips to be distributed to local schools and youth clubs.
They took the remaining strips to their hotel to hand out "when the opportunity arose".
Scott Rae, manager of the West End Bar, said: "We really got a laugh at the airport when they saw how many bags we were checking in.
"On the first day of the trip we wandered into a kindergarten across from the hotel, only to find that no-one could speak any English.
"However, after some sign language and a lot of smiles, there were a lot of happy kids running around in an assortment of strips."
The message sent to Mr Rae from the ambassador, Denis Keefe, read: "The ladies of the International Women's Association in Georgia, helping distribute the items of clothing, have never seen such generosity.
"Earlier in the year the children were asked to write letters to Santa and many asked for sporting goods, so you really have been making their dreams come true."
Add comment