Hampden Park hosts veterans fundraising event

Organised by charity Soldiers Off The Streets Scotland (SOTS), the event aims to raise money for a new housing project for veterans who are faced with no accommodation when leaving the services.

The evening will be hosted by SAS legend Rusty Firmin, who was one of the assault team leaders responsible for the release of hostages during the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege in London.

Now a proclaimed author, Rusty will welcome a number of guests including Stu Pearson QGM, one of the paratroopers who took part in the Kajaki Dam incident, and David Timmons QGM, a former member of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal.

Guests will be invited to dine in the Nevis Suite, with a bespoke three-course ‘Scottish menu’ created by Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events chefs especially for the event, using locally sourced produce.

Attendees will tuck into an entrée of soup, followed by a starter of smoked cured Scottish beetroot salmon, served on an oatmeal bloomer. Diners will then have the option of savouring braised steak with diane sauce, or chicken and haggis in a creamy whisky sauce for the main meal, before opting for either a chocolate tart or cranachan cheesecake for dessert.

After dinner, guests will be treated to entertainment from The Factory Street Jazz Quartet and vocalist Kirstin Weir Stoddart.

SOTS, which aims to get as many homeless veterans off the streets and back into normal, civilian life as possible, will donate half of the money raised towards its new housing project, with the remaining funds allocated to a permanent memorial statue for the Parachute Regiment at Aldershot.

Craig Younger, General manager for Sodexo Sports & Leisure at Hampden Park Stadium, said: “We are delighted to be able to host The Pegasus Ball for SOTS at Hampden Park and look forward to welcoming guests on the evening to raise money for this truly worthwhile cause. Our chefs have been working hard to create the menu for the event and we’re pleased to be able to offer this to the charity at a discounted rate.

“At Hampden Park we have a range of event spaces suitable for any occasion. With a capacity of around 4,000 people across our suites and private boxes, we’re able to tailor our space for conferences, exhibitions, dinners, drinks receptions and more.”

Tickets for The Pegasus Ball, an ‘evening with real heroes’, can be purchased for £75 per person, or £65 per person for serving and ex-Paratroopers.

Tables of 10 are available at a discounted price of £700. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the SOTS team on 0784 753 6650 or [email protected].