CELTIC FC Foundation’s annual Ghirls for Good event took place in the Kerrydale Suite on Friday night. This is always a key element of our annual Christmas Appeal and, this year, it raised a magnificent total of £22,000.
Sponsored by the Ellen Kane Trust for the third year in a row, the evening proved to be a great success, with over 350 guests lending their support. The Ghirls were welcomed to Paradise by Celtic Santa and received a drink on arrival, courtesy of the Club.
Back by popular demand, Edward Reid returned for the fourth consecutive year and didn’t disappoint as he kick-started the night in style, making his entrance to ‘I Wanna Be Edward!’
The guests then watched Celtic’s 2019 Christmas Ad, with Edward, with net proceeds of the CD sale of the song, ‘Star of Glasgow’s Green and White’, supporting the Appeal.
A superb three-course meal followed, generously donated by Campbell Prime Meats, Premier Produce and Bidfood Scotland and this was complemented by Mark Gordon’s special brand of magic. A video piece featuring Neil Lennon and some of the first-team squad provided an overview of this year’s Christmas Appeal and confirmed to the Ghirls just what a difference their support is making.
This was followed by a vote of thanks from Celtic FC Foundation’s Head of Income, Jane Maguire, and there was not a dry eye in the house when Dalmarnock Primary School Head Teacher, Nancy Clunie shared poignant stories on previous beneficiary families and the impact of the donations they received.
Between courses, Edward Reid shared beautiful performances of the Greatest Showman’s ‘From Now On’ and fans’ favourite ‘Grace’, and then upped the tempo with a trip down memory lane as the ladies packed the dance floor for ‘Oops Upside Your Head’.
Following dinner, guests were treated to some special messages from Lennoxtown featuring Ryan Christie, Leigh Griffiths, Craig Gordon, Stephen McManus and Celtic Santa.
Next up was Edward Reid’s stunning live set. He kicked it off with the most unique of competitions, involving blow pipe toys – safe to say the Kerrydale Suite has never seen anything quite like it. The lucky winner received two complimentary tickets for Snow Patrol’s sold-out show at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh this week, courtesy of DF Concerts and Dave Corbet.
Thanks to an incredible donation from event sponsor, the Ellen Kane Trust, the Fly High New York Draw was back on the Ghirls for Good programme and proved to be even more popular than ever! For just a £10 entry fee, guests had the opportunity to win a quite outstanding prize – a stunning package for two people to New York City including return flights from Glasgow and three nights’ accommodation in a double or twin room in a hotel close to Times Square.
The draw was made by Angela Quinn of the Ellen Kane Trust and one very lucky Ghirl went home with a Christmas gift like no other!
The evening also included festive DJ Stephen, Christmas stalls and a Free Prize Draw featuring a plethora of outstanding prizes, with the first being a year’s supply of shoes from Kurt Geiger.
We also asked each gorgeous Ghirl to bring along a gift for a local child and were overwhelmed and humbled by the response. These will now be distributed to those who are sick or disadvantaged before the sleigh bells ring on Christmas Eve.
The beneficiary organisations include Bargeddie Toddlers, Children in Care in Edinburgh and Fife, Community & Beyond Toy Bank, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Glasgow East Women’s Aid, Glasgow North East Social Work, Glasgow Women’s Aid, Kids Out, Loaves & Fishes, Salvation Army Parkhead, Scottish Refugee Council, Simon Community Scotland and Spirit Aid.
Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, said: “This is always one of my favourite nights of the year – great people, doing great things and having a great time in the process. Year after year, Ghirls for Good makes a phenomenal contribution to the Christmas Appeal and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our fantastic guests.
“I would also like to personally thank our sponsor and Fly High NY donor – the Ellen Kane Trust – who continually go above and beyond for the Foundation and we are very grateful.
“Thanks also to Edward Reid, Kurt Geiger, Mark Gordon, DJ Stephen, Celtic Santa, Neil Lennon and the first team squad, all other prize donors, our AV donor OSAV, our print donor Bell & Bain, our volunteers Jackie and Helen and every guest for the part they played in its success.
“Thanks also to our food donors and the Catering Department at the Club for delivering a fantastic menu and service as always. Together, they have made a massive difference to the lives of so many disadvantaged and vulnerable families and individuals this Christmas.”
The £22k raised at Ghirls for Good will support our 2019 Christmas Appeal which reflects the very essence of why our Club was set up back in 1887.
We’re aiming to help local families and pensioners who face poverty and hardship, and a number of charities who care for those experiencing the torment of homelessness or other disadvantage. Our Ghirls for Good have made a genuine and stunning difference this Christmas.
Christmas is a time to give and share. And the Glasgow Celtic will be there.
To get behind the Christmas Appeal 2019, you can:
– Donate by Text – text ‘CELTIC’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70085*
– Donate Online
– Donate via PayPal – www.CelticChristmasAppeal.com
– Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores
– Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow G40 3RE.
– Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live and Amazon Smile – http://www.celticfc.net/news/17086
– Contribute via our Christmas Appeal eBay auction which will take place between Thursday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 10.
– Make a donation to receive your ‘Celtic FC Foundation Letter from Santa’ – http://www.celticfc.net/news/17114
– Support our our match-day bucket collection on Sunday, December 15 – http://www.celticfc.net/news/17091
– Purchase the original song from this year’s Celtic Christmas advert, ‘Star Of Glasgow’s Green & White’ HERE. Proceeds will support our 2019 Appeal.
Thank you for making a difference.
