IT may be the close season at Celtic Park, but it’s been business as usual for Celtic FC Foundation this week, as the club’s charitable arm hosted a special event marking the completion of the first ‘Lions Lunch Breaks’ project, in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland.
The ‘Lions Lunch Breaks’ initiative is made possible by proceeds from last year’s #LionsLegacy campaign, which saw a range of fundraising events across six wonderful days in May 2017, honouring the 50th anniversary of Celtic’s 1967 European Cup victory.
Engaging individuals living with dementia and their carers, the project features physical and creative activities to trigger memories, foster social interaction and increase general health and wellbeing.
Celebrating the project’s successful completion, and closely following Dementia Awareness Week which took place earlier this month, participants were invited to Celtic Park to reflect on their experience while enjoying afternoon tea and a stadium tour.
Working alongside Celtic FC Foundation, Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s leading dementia organisation, providing care, activities, support, information and advice to those in need, as well as their carers and families.
On the project’s initial success, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, Henry Simmons, said: ”We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as a beneficiary of the ‘Lions Lunch Breaks’ project. Alzheimer Scotland’s aim is to ensure that nobody faces dementia alone.
“This wonderful partnership with the Celtic FC Foundation, made possible through the generosity of Celtic supporters, has brought fun, laughter and meaningful engagement to people with dementia and their carers at our Glasgow Dementia Resource Centre.”
Celtic FC Foundation also deliver dementia care projects in Edinburgh, in partnership with the Eric Liddell Centre, and each initiative represents the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to working in this area.
Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, added: “The Celtic supporters, through our Lions’ Legacy campaign, have made so many things possible – projects that we weren’t able to deliver before. Those supporters, at home and overseas, should get enormous credit for that, and they should be very proud of the contribution they are making.
“Dementia is a growing problem for so many families, and initiatives like our partnerships with Alzheimer Scotland and the Eric Liddell Centre are helping to alleviate some of that. We are determined to do more of this kind of work and with continued backing we will be able to do this.”
