Caledonia Gladiators in East Kilbride slam dunk for Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity

Scotland's only professional basketball franchise has found an inventive way to support children in hospital. Caledonia Gladiators, who play at their home arena in East Kilbride, launched the Slam Dunk Package, a one-off VIP experience to raise money for Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, the club's official charity partner.

Styled on the NBA experience, the package was designed to give fans the chance to see the game like never before, with a courtside box, a personal butler, meet and greets with players, champagne during the game and access to the club lounge. It also included a meal at Trocadero's, the entertainment-led restaurant at nearby Crossbasket Castle, and an overnight stay at the hotel. The package was available for any men's or women's game in the 2025/26 season.

Owners Steve and Alison Timoney have supported the charity for many years. After the couple made the largest ever donation to the charity's accommodation for families, the onsite housing was named Crossbasket House after their hotel.

Steve said the work of Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity is incredible and invaluable to the thousands of families it supports, and that selling the seats would go a long way to improving the care of young patients. William McGowan-Smith, head of partnerships at the charity, said the Gladiators had once again taken their support to the next level.

For every thousand pounds raised, the charity says it could fund play, fun and laughter with a dedicated play specialist for children in hospital, or provide support for families.

The partnership continued into 2026, with the Gladiators among the pit stop partners at the charity's Kami Bear Teddy Trail in September, part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

It has been a successful era on court too. In February 2025, the Gladiators' women's team became the first Scottish women's basketball team to win a major trophy, at the Super League Basketball Trophy Final, just under two years after the men's team won the club's first silverware in twenty years.

Caledonia Gladiators play at their home arena in East Kilbride. Fixtures and tickets are at caledoniagladiators.com.