Ross County Central Staggies supporters ready to step it up for Africa on the Ball charity as fundraising challenge takes on extra poignancy after death of Scottish football legend Jimmy Bone
A group of four die-hard Ross County supporters exiled from the Highlands are set to go the extra mile for a transformational charity in Africa.
Mark MacDonald (28), Craig Smith (38), Darren Ross (34) and Lewis Dalgarno (37) signed up for the 21-mile Edinburgh Kiltwalk ‘Mighty Stride’ on September 14 as a fundraiser for Africa On The Ball (AOTB).
The hardy foursome – all part of the Central Staggies supporters’ group – have been training hard for the venture, with the charity’s work in Zambia particularly close to the heart for Craig, a trustee of AOTB.
Craig previously worked in the international development sector in Zambia
It will also be an especially poignant occasion for the County fans given the recent death of the legendary footballer and former Ross County assistant manager Jimmy Bone, who was the charity’s patron.
AOTB is a small, Scottish-founded international sport for development charity that uses the power of football to sustainably improve poverty, education, healthcare, gender equality and enterprise in deprived communities of Africa, starting with Kalingalinga in Lusaka, Zambia.
It was founded in 2013 after a Stirling University student and footballer met a semi-professional footballing counterpart from Lusaka.
Together, they set up a community football club with grassroots outreach development projects to create generational positive change in the community.
Mark, who grew up in Scourie, works in financial services in Glasgow, while Craig, originally from Bonar Bridge, is a civil servant living in Edinburgh.
They will be accompanied by Darren Ross (34), an engineer living in Armadale and Lewis Dalgarno (37), originally from Invergordon who works in financial services in Edinburgh.
Mark will benefit from his employer, Barclays matching his fundraising up to £1,000 through an employee benefits scheme.
He said: “I’ve been building my mileage one week at a time for 20 weeks to prepare for the Kiltwalk.
“It’s been a fantastic way to push my fitness goals, and knowing it’s all for Africa On The Ball makes the effort so much more meaningful.
“The charity uses football, something that’s so important to us as Staggies fans, to create positive, long-lasting change in communities in Zambia.”
Craig, who has been a trustee for AOTB since 2021, said: “Having worked in international development in Zambia, I’ve seen first hand the incredible impact that grassroots, community-led projects can have.
“That's why I've been a trustee for Africa On The Ball since 2021.
“Their work with football goes far beyond the pitch, providing education, clean water, and health services that genuinely transform lives.”
Craig’s JustGiving page is HERE
As part of their training, Mark, Darren and Craig recently did a 16-mile walk from Bathgate to Airdrie ahead of Ross County’s opening league game of the season.
The ultimate goal is to raise £20,000 to build AOTB's first-ever clubhouse.
Craig stressed: “This isn't just a building, it will be a permanent home for the community, providing a safe space for our teams to meet, a hub for educational programs and a base for enterprise projects that create sustainable change.
“Every single pound donated gets us closer to laying the first brick and making this dream a reality.”
Reflecting on the loss of the renowned Jimmy Bone – Alex Smith's assistant at County in the early 2000s – who passed away on September 1, Craig added: “This walk feels especially poignant, coming so soon after the passing of AOTB's long-time patron.
“With every step we take, we hope to honour his passion and commitment to the charity."
Anyone wishing to follow the foursome’s efforts and/or chip in to the fundraiser can do so Twitter/X @centralstaggies and Facebook CentralStaggies.
AOTB has used passion for football as a catalyst to achieve some impressive impacts.
They include:
Weekly training, matches and tournaments (with over 5,000 people attending at times) for 11 teams and 230 members over 40 of which are under 18
Two solar powered drinking water stations where there was no running water.
Weekly physical & health education in three local schools and a local orphanage.
A daily food programme for the 159 children at the Community School.
Financial support for 71 educational & vocational scholarships, plus coaching awards.
First aid training, and various health sessions such as HIV, sexual rights (including period poverty), & nutritional education, reaching over 10,000 people.