DESPITE a packed fixture schedule in December, Celtic Assistant Manager, John Kennedy recently found time to show his support for Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal.
John was in attendance to offer a helping hand at Hampden School, as Santa gave out presents to pupils, courtesy of Christmas Appeal beneficiary, Spirit Aid.
Spirit Aid, founded by Scottish actor, David Hayman, is a Scottish humanitarian relief organisation dedicated to alleviating the suffering of children and young people whose lives have been affected by poverty, neglect, abuse, lack of opportunity, humanitarian crisis or even blighted by war.
The organisation currently works in a variety of locations throughout the world, with projects in operation in Scotland, Palestine, Afghanistan and Malawi.
Through support received via Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal in the past, Spirit Aid has provided Christmas gifts for a number of marginalised young people across the country.
Hampden School in Glasgow, which is just one of many supported by Spirit Aid, caters for children who have Additional Support Needs. Children may have a diagnosis of a physical impairment, specific medical condition, Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Complex Learning Difficulty.
The aim of the school is to allow each child to realise his or her maximum potential allowing for the particular learning needs of each individual child.
Speaking during his visit to the school, John Kennedy said: “Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal plays a very important part in continuing the traditions of this club. Charitable giving is in our DNA.
“It’s very nice to be here at Hampden School and see the children’s faces as they’re given gifts from Santa. It’s great to see Spirit Aid and Celtic FC Foundation tied in together, especially coming into this Christmas period when there are a lot of challenges for families and individuals.”
David Hayman, Founder of Spirit Aid spoke of the importance of the support received through Celtic FC Foundation’s Appeal, saying: “At this time of year, everyone feels vulnerable, so we just try to do as much as we can to alleviate that and the Foundation very generously support us. We simply couldn’t do the work that we do without donations such as this.
Hampden School’s Deputy Head Teacher, Virginia Smith, added: “All of the children here have very particular and unique challenges in their lives, and we do our best to try to make their lives as easy and happy as possible for the. However, we can’t do that alone, we need the support of charities such as Spirit Aid to allow us to do that.”
Spirit Aid becomes the latest of our charity beneficiaries to be confirmed, joining Loaves and Fishes, The Invisibles, Glasgow East Women’s Aid, St Roch’s FC Foundation, Elpis Centre, the Salvation Army Parkhead, St Anne’s Primary School, St Anne’s Church, the Cardinal Hume Centre and Simon Community Scotland.
Our appeal aims to honour the founding principles set out when the club was formed back in 1887, by continuing to help those in our community, who are most in need. We want to help hundreds of local families facing poverty by giving them the kind of Christmas most of us take for granted.
We also want to support pensioners on our doorstep and help out local charities. We can make a massive difference to the lives of children, the homeless, refugees and those living in refuge or facing other challenges.
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 match-day bucket collection on Sunday, December 15 – http://www.celticfc.net/news/17171
- 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 your magnificent support.
*Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard rate message.
