The Tartan Army rode school buses to World Cup games. Now, they are donating $15,000 to Mass. students

A group of Scottish soccer fans known as the Tartan Army has donated $15,000 to help Massachusetts public school students. The fans rode yellow school buses to World Cup games near Boston this summer. The money they saved on transportation is now going toward books, backpacks, and clothing for kids in need.

A few weeks before Scotland's first World Cup game in nearly 30 years, hundreds of fans had a big problem. The transportation service they had planned to use fell through, and they needed a new way to get from Boston to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. That's when Mike Teevan, a 46-year-old construction worker from Scotland, came up with an idea.

Teevan thought of something most Scottish fans had only seen in American movies and TV shows — yellow school buses. He hired a company to provide 12 school buses to carry 560 fans to the stadium. The plan worked perfectly and cost much less than other options, saving the group thousands of dollars.

After the trip, the fans voted on what to do with that extra money. Instead of splitting it up among themselves, they chose to donate it to help children in Massachusetts. The money went to a charity called Massachusetts Child, which is run by the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

This group gives money to teachers across the state so they can buy things their students need most. Items like winter coats, backpacks, and school supplies are among the most common needs. The donation will help hundreds of children across the state this school year.

Many of the Scottish fans were not wealthy and had worked hard to make the trip to America. Some used their savings, tapped into their retirement funds, or even sold property just to afford the journey. On average, each fan spent about $4,000 per week on tickets, hotels, and other costs — yet they still chose to give the savings away.

Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, praised the Tartan Army for their kindness. He said the donation was important not just for the supplies it would buy, but for what it showed about how people can care for one another. "We can't thank these soccer fans enough," he said.

Teevan first emailed the teachers' union before the end of June to say the Tartan Army wanted to make a donation. Just before the July 4th weekend, he told them the amount would be $15,000 — much more than the union had expected. "We are so grateful," said Scott McLennan, a spokesperson for the union.

The same yellow school buses also carried Scottish fans staying in Providence, Rhode Island. Those fans donated $30,000 to local organizations in Rhode Island, including Hasbro Children's Hospital. The school bus rides turned out to be a fun and memorable part of the whole World Cup trip.

Teevan said the buses created a special energy that made the experience unforgettable. "The atmosphere on the bus was definitely there because of the way we were traveling," he said. The Tartan Army left Boston with kilts, bagpipes, chants — and a lasting gift for the children of Massachusetts.