Salvation Army supports Commonwealth Games

Posted: 21.07.26

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, our colleagues at Salvationist magazine learn more about The Salvation Army’s involvement in a united Christian response, including involvement from Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) stores. Here we share some highlights from the feature.

IN under a week’s time, 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will be journeying to Glasgow for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games are a 10-day celebration of sporting excellence. From 23 July to 2 August, they will span four venues and 10 sporting disciplines, including six para-sports, with 250 medals up for grabs. They will pioneer a leaner, more sustainable model for this major tournament. This approach is rooted in community, inviting people to be part of something bigger and brilliant.

Roughly 8 in 10 people are involved in or support a sport in Scotland, which makes the Games a key opportunity for evangelism. The Salvation Army is part of a wider race towards that opportunity, including Glasgow City Mission, Glasgow Street Pastors and Sports Chaplaincy UK.

The Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd’s Renfrew Donation Centre will be providing volunteers to help at the hall. ‘We have a huge team here,’ explains manager Harry McCafferty. ‘If you include the paid staff and the volunteers, we have about 95 people!

As well as helping with refreshments, we’ll be able to provide clothing, because people coming might not have the right items for the weather.’

Parkhead Corps, which is near to the velodrome and swimming pool, will also be engaging with the Games, along with other parts of the Army, including the charity shop at 91Dumbarton Road.

Amid all this, another key player is warming up to take part: Shieldy, The Salvation Army’s mascot, who might well become friends with Finnie, the official mascot for the Games.

‘Shieldy will be going to town!’ announces Commissioner Ivor Telfer, who is the support officer to the Commonwealth Games and has helped coordinate the Army and wider Churches Together response. ‘We’ll be taking Shieldy out on the streets, along with water, leaflets and the 18 July edition of Kids Alive!, which features the Commonwealth Games. We’ll be going to all the Games locations. We’ll have opportunities to chat and really be visible.’