FORMER Hoops defender Tosh McKinlay believes Celtic’s continued support of the Glasgow Taxi Outing cements the principles on which the club was founded.
Charity and community have always been at the core of the club since 1888 and the former Bhoys full-back said the recent donation of another £7,000 from Celtic FC Foundation to the Glasgow Taxis Outing Fund is a representation of the club’s commitment to those values.
Tosh was on hand at Kelvin Way in the West End of Glasgow today to launch the annual outing, now in its 70th year, and he praised the club for its involvement.
“It’s another £7,000 and that takes it over the £130,000 mark so it’s absolutely fantastic what Celtic are doing,” he told Celtic TV.
“This is what it’s all about for me – the community – and that’s what Celtic were founded on, so it’s another great occasion and £7,000 into the coffers can’t be bad. It’s a great job that Celtic and the Foundation are doing.”
Each year around 200 drivers from Glasgow Taxis take a day off work to give roughly 500 deserving children a day trip to Troon with their families.
The drivers decorate their taxis to add some colour to the day and give the children an exciting journey on their trip to the seaside.
The best-dressed taxi receives a trophy at the end of the judging and this year’s winner, picked by Tosh, was Ronny Martin, 47, who transformed his black cab into the shape of Star Wars character Darth Vader.
After presenting the trophy to a delighted Ronny, Tosh added that being from Glasgow gave him an acute understanding of just how important the outing is to the people involved.
He added: “I’m from the city and I know what it means to the kids to get their day out so it’s fantastic what the taxi association do and obviously Celtic are involved as well, which is great.
“It’s great that they take a day off their work and take the kids down to Troon and it’s a fantastic day out for everyone.
“It’s the 70th year and although I don’t think I’ll be here in another 70 years, it’s great to be involved as I know what it means to the people and the kids. It’s in folklore.”
