RANGERS' official charity has donated £25,000 to a bowel cancer charity after launching a campaign to raise awareness of the disease.

The Rangers Charity Foundation partnered with Bowel Cancer UK to spread the word to fans about how important it is to take part in a bowel screening.

As the whistle blew for half-time on Saturday's game against St Mirren, which Rangers won 5-2, the foundation’s chief executive Connal Cochrane was joined by players Ridvan Yilmaz and Kieran Wright to present the cheque. 

Mr Cochrane said: “It has been great to be able to communicate important messages far and wide about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer that will really save lives.

“For example, with the help of the club we arranged for bowel cancer symptoms posters to be displayed in washrooms around the stadium and were delighted when this initiative spread across Scottish football, with support from the SPFL Trust.

"Six other clubs joined the campaign and are also displaying posters in their washrooms, reaching even more football fans.

“Thanks to the generosity of our incredible supporters this donation will enable Bowel Cancer UK to significantly boost its important work in Scotland.”

Also on the pitch for the presentation was dedicated fan and season ticket holder Iain Kerr, who has been affected by bowel cancer and has played a major role in supporting the campaign.

Research shows that nearly four in 10 people can’t name a single symptom of bowel cancer, which is Scotland's second biggest cancer killer, but the campaign aims to change that.

It has since inspired fans to share their experience of bowel cancer on a special Rangers Wall on Bowel Cancer UK’s website, urging others to be aware of the symptoms and take up their screening test when invited.

One fan, Campbell Forsyth, has been actively involved in the campaign and his niece Katie Queen served as a matchday mascot as the cheque was presented. 

The money will fund a senior services officer who will help deliver information on bowel cancer, run campaigns on awareness, as well as facilitate support groups and support GPs in diagnosing and treating the disease. 

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed being at Ibrox for the Rangers game against St Mirren – what a cracking result too!

"As expected it was an electric atmosphere, and collecting the cheque from the Rangers Charity Foundation was the cherry on the top.

“We are incredibly grateful to them for their generous donation and support for this season-long partnership.

"Awareness of bowel cancer symptoms in Scotland has increased by nearly 10% compared to this time last year, and we know some of this is due to the foundation and the club’s amazing family of players, fans and staff who have championed this lifesaving campaign.

“Thank you so much to everyone who shared the symptoms and their experience of the disease – it really does save lives.”