Home   News   Article

‘Tartan Banger’ trio launch appeal to support Mikeysline ahead of Scotland’s second crunch Euros tie





Wherever they have gone, the 'Tartan Banger' lads Andy Cameron, Scott Miller and Terry Stirling have attracted attention.
Wherever they have gone, the 'Tartan Banger' lads Andy Cameron, Scott Miller and Terry Stirling have attracted attention.

With less than 36 hours to go before Scotland meet Switzerland in their second Euros group game, the Brora-built “Tartan Banger” is now on the road to Cologne — and its crew are hoping their long drive can turn into a fundraising drive for a prominent Highland mental health charity.

Since leaving Scotland a week ago, banger trio, Scott Miller, Terry Stirling and Andy Cameron, have become Tartan Army favourites as they travel across Germany in their £400 car, stopping for photographs with supporters and attracting the attention of radio and TV personalities.

RELATED:

Brora man’s £400 ‘Tartan Banger’ on the road to Munich ahead of Euros opener

PICTURES: Sutherland’s Tartan Army supporters in Munich

‘No Golspie High School, no party!’ - Pupils get into the Tartan Army spirit ahead of Euros opener

34-year-old Scott, from Brora, snapped up the 2008 Volvo S40 for just £400 after spotting it on Facebook last December, before deciding to turn it into his mode of transport for getting to Germany to support Scotland in the Euros.

The mechanic gave the 16-year-old ‘banger’ a complete makeover — adorning in tartan, with a raft of sponsors and Tartan Army emblems affixed to its body, such as Irn Bru stickers and a label reading: “Hand of God, Diego Maradona legend”.

It has since been signed by countless supporters since it made its way across to Munich last week.

Scott said: “It’s fairly hard to put into words how well we’ve been received. It’s extraordinary to be fair. We did an interview with comedian Susie McCabe in a Bavarian village earlier, and we just spoke to Radio 5 Live. Good Morning Britain are wanting to meet us in Cologne tomorrow.

The boys met up with stand-up comedian Susie McCabe in a Bavarian village.
The boys met up with stand-up comedian Susie McCabe in a Bavarian village.

“We did not see any of this coming. Terry’s left hand is dead, everyone who passes toots and waves. People are stopping us for photos. We have a white marker pen for people to sign the car.

“We knew there would be a bit of craic about it, but we never saw this coming. It’s a really cool thing, it’s something we’ll look back on in 20 years very fondly and reminisce.”

The Scotland die-hards have now set up a JustGiving page to encourage anyone supporting their journey to also support the mental health support charity, Mikeysline.

Scott added: “We only had a wee tin with us for accepting donations, so we decided to set up a JustGiving page to accept donations while we’re on this journey.

'Tartan Banger' in Bavaria.
'Tartan Banger' in Bavaria.

“We know how bad the mental health struggle can be in the Highlands and how much stigma there is around it.

“For us personally, the three of us all have all been affected by suicide.

“Myself and Andy have lost friends, and Terry more so than us, has lost his father, his brother and his nephew all to suicide. So it’s a charity very close to his heart, with these tragedies in mind, and a fitting charity for all three for us who have all been affected.”

But as Scott rides the wave of excitement their “once in a lifetime” banger journey has brought, he remains cautiously realistic when it comes to his beloved nation’s chances.

“In terms of the football, I’d like to be confident, but I’m not,” he said. “You can’t have the run of ten games that we’ve had and then just pluck confidence out of nowhere.

“I don’t think we’re in a great place, but I hope I’m wrong. I hope I have to eat my words and we maybe even get a draw and get a result against Hungary. It is Scotland at the end of the day.

“We are the Tartan Army and we remain ever optimistic.”

To donate to the “Tartan Banger” Mikeysline fundraising page, visit justgiving.com/page/s-1718545540164.

Followers can keep up to date with the lads’ Euros adventure by following their “Tartan Banger” page on Instagram at instagram.com/the_tartan_banger_.

A fellow supporter from Barr's stopped the trio to gift them a special Irn Bru scarf.
A fellow supporter from Barr's stopped the trio to gift them a special Irn Bru scarf.
The 'Tartan Banger' boys managed to make some time for a round of golf.
The 'Tartan Banger' boys managed to make some time for a round of golf.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More