‘Tartan Army’ soccer fans donate to students in need

The Tartan Army has struck again, this time making a generous donation to the Massachusetts Child, a charitable organization operated by the Massachusetts Teachers Association to help students in financial need.

Scottish soccer fans known as the Tartan Army have made their visit to the 2026 World Cup tournament a memorable one, with boisterous street parties in Boston and philanthropic work in the cities they visited as they cheered on their nation’s soccer team.

The Tartan Army donated $15,000 to the Massachusetts Child. These funds will bolster the work being done by MTA members to help students who are experiencing economic hardship.

Mike Teevan, who organized transportation for the Scotland fans staying in the Boston area for World Cup games in Foxborough, explained that problems with the original bus supplier arose three weeks before the tournament’s start. Teevan then secured all of the necessary transportation with school bus operator First Student, which resulted in substantial savings. The Tartan Army poured its windfall into charitable organizations.

“Some of the most enduring images and memories from the World Cup will be the Scotland fans travelling to Gillette Stadium on fleets of school buses, and it seems appropriate that it’s local school kids who should benefit from the help we received.” – Mike Teevan

“Some of the most enduring images and memories from the World Cup will be the Scotland fans travelling to Gillette Stadium on fleets of school buses, and it seems appropriate that it’s local school kids who should benefit from the help we received,” Teevan said.

MTA affiliates that represent educators in preK-12 public schools use Mass Child grants to purchase clothing, school supplies, books, health and fitness items, and more, for students in districts across the state. In the 2025-26 school year, Mass Child awarded more than $61,000 to educators in 50 districts. Mass Child also partnered with First Book to launch a new program in the 2025-26 school year that resulted in 15 MTA local associations purchasing 7,300 books. Students and educators worked together to pick the books, and schools held celebratory events to promote reading and literacy.

“This generous donation is significant not only for what it will allow our members to do for their students, but also for what it represents,” said MTA President Max Page. “The Tartan Army showed the world what it means to care for one another, to support one another, and to celebrate together. We can’t thank these soccer fans enough.”