IT was business as usual on Bank Holiday Monday for Celtic FC Foundation as The H.E.L.P. Pilgrimage took place across the East End of Glasgow.

Inspired by some of the most legendary figures in Celtic’s history, The H.E.L.P. Pilgrimage saw participants take on a 17-mile walking challenge, encompassing four historical Celtic sites and honouring four of the greatest figures in the Club’s history at each respective venue – all under our banner of Health, Equality, Learning and Poverty.

Despite looming grey skies, the enthusiastic and excited group set off from the site of the club’s formation at St Mary’s Church in the Calton, paying tribute to a favourite son of the area – Tommy Burns.

The group gathered pace, and the overcast conditions soon disappeared, as they made their way to Barrowfield Training Centre to commemorate Jock Stein and Celtic’s golden era.

With the warm sun on their backs, the walkers then journeyed towards Viewpark to honour the greatest ever Celt, heading for the Jimmy Johnstone Memorial Statue.

As the temperature continued to soar, participants understandably made allusions to the ‘heat of Lisbon’, however, sweaty brows and weary legs could not prevent the determined group from triumphantly striding up the Celtic Way to Brother Walfrid’s statue and the final site, Paradise.

A formidable test of endurance and self-will, The H.E.L.P. Pilgrimage was littered with many inspiring personal narratives, including Marc Martin, who had walked 108 miles across the two weeks prior to the event with the intention of rounding up to the magic number of 125 on the Celtic Way.

Foundation ambassador Jay Beatty showed his support by walking 1.7 miles around his local park, as his father Martin, made the journey to Glasgow and (in the face of unexpected travel delays) managed to complete the challenge with aplomb.

Celtic FC Foundation would also like to thank Jenna Burns, daughter of Tommy, for her incredible support, participation and backing of the event and also Jimmy Johnstone’s son, James, for taking the time to meet the group in Viewpark.

Following an enormously successful day, the Foundation are delighted to announce that The H.E.L.P. Pilgrimage is projected to raise in the region of £8,000 towards our ongoing projects in Health, Equality, Learning and Poverty.

Speaking about the event, Celtic FC Foundation CEO, Tony Hamilton, said: “Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part in this event for the Foundation.

“I’d also like to make a special mention to the volunteers who helped out on the day as they were absolutely integral to ensuring everything went smoothly.

“Walking 17 miles is a remarkable achievement, and we are truly grateful that so many got behind this initiative to honour the club’s history and reiterate our core values of Health, Equality, Learning and Poverty.”

 If you would like to donate to Celtic FC Foundation’s The H.E.L.P. Pilgrimage, you can do so HERE: 

Celtic FC Foundation would like to thank all the volunteers who gave up their time to ensure this event was a success: Erick Laing, Stevie McComiskie, Davie McLaughlin and Jack O’Kane.