FOOTBALL fans in Kilbirnie have set up a community fund-raiser to help a “local legend” return to watching his favourite side.

Friends of Johnny Burns launched the GoFundMe campaign at the start of the month with the aim of buying a mobility scooter for the disabled Kilbirnie Ladeside supporter.

Johnny, described as a “pillar of the community”, is a popular figure in the town and those behind the fund-raiser said it was time for them to repay some of the kindness he has shown to others over the years.

Organiser Christopher Sutherland said: “Johnny is a local legend who has always paid out his own pocket for young fans of Kilbirnie Ladeside to attend away games.

“He’s the kindest soul to walk this planet.

“Unfortunately, due to recent ill health he hasn’t been able to attend the games himself, however, he’s still very generously putting his hands in his own pocket.

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“Johnny is disabled and we are trying to raise funds to purchase a mobility type scooter and get him back to his beloved Ladeside.”

The online fund-raiser is already well on the way to reaching its £3,000 goal, with more than £2,600 having been added to the pot so far.

The page said: “From helping out people in need, to offering a bit of banter or encouragement to someone down on their luck, Johnny’s generosity knows no bounds.

“He’s run more buses to the football than Marbill and put more money behind the bar than Tennent’s.

“He’s replaced money lost by single parents who were strangers to him and donated to every single community fund-raiser in recent years. More than all of this, he does it out of genuine kindness, no thanks needed or wanted.”

To donate, click here.