DRINKS company Buckfast has stepped in to help create new playing fields for youngsters in a needy community.
DRINKS company Buckfast has stepped in to help create new playing fields for youngsters in a needy community.
The makers of the tonic wine - often blamed for binge drinking and anti-social behaviour - want to provide an all-weather football pitch and changing rooms for Carbrain Boys Club in Cumbernauld.
The 400-strong club used to play on fields at Cumbernauld College but lost them when Tesco moved in four years ago.
Now Buckfast, which is made in Devon by monks, is to help the boys, who range from toddlers up to 17.
As well as the all-weather full-sized pitch, they will also build a smaller five-a-side field.
Buckfast bosses hope to get other companies involved and today stressed they were not doing it for the glory.
Club secretary Ben McDermott, 48, from Cumbernauld, was stunned when they agreed to help.
He said: "We have been trying to get a new pitch from the council and came up against a brick wall.
"Buckfast is going to give us sponsorship to build a park and they are going to get other companies to help us out.
"Buckfast does a tremendous amount for charity that people don't know about. I mentioned about losing the park and they came back to me and said that's ridiculous'.
"Now they've taken up the baton for us."
Buckfast Scottish manager Jim Wilson said: "We have always been involved in this type of work.
"You will not hear about it as we do not believe in getting involved for the sake of saying we're the good guys'.
"When we are dealing with children it can be perceived we are trying to encourage them to drink Buckfast. We do not want to glorify Buckfast to kids."
He said they were looking for two or three partners for the project.
The playing fields could cost up to £200,000 and it's hoped the facility will be in place in 18 months.
Tesco donated £60,000 to upgrade another pitch in the town but the club want somewhere closer to home, and for the local community.
They are now looking for a suitable site. If you can help, e-mail news@eveningtimes.co.uk.
