Hi, I'm Andrew Burnett, the International Director for Chess Scotland.

This appeal is to raise funds to support our national teams at this year's "Chess Olympics" in Budapest.

The Olympiad takes place every two years and brings more than 150 countries together over the chessboard. Unlike most other nations, however, Scotland's national chess federation receives no government funding at all (by contrast, the English Chess Federation recently received £500,000 from Rishi Sunak's government!).

That means our top players, some of them pictured above and which this year will include two of the most talented juniors we have ever had, have to fund their own way to Budapest (and back!).

All money raised will go towards transport, accommodation and team kits.

So, if you can help, please do so by donating to our fundraiser and maybe the next Queen's Gambit hero you see on TV will be flying the Scottish flag!

Many thanks,

Andy Burnett