CELTIC FC Foundation’s inaugural Celtic Sleep-Out event took place at Celtic Park at the weekend and the 60 participants have already raised a magnificent total in excess of £23,000.

All funds raised will support our 2015 Christmas Appeal, which reflects the very essence of why our Club was formed.

The Appeal will help local families who face poverty and hardship and 10 charities who care for those experiencing the torment of homelessness or other disadvantage. Those confirmed so far include The Invisibles, Glasgow City Mission, Loaves & Fishes, The Wayside Club Centre and the Salvation Army

Amidst a sea of sleeping bags, ground mats, emergency foil sheets and warm clothing, the group were welcomed to Celtic Park at 9pm on Saturday night by Celtic FC Foundation’s team.

They also heard from Dermot Hill of The Invisibles who gave his fellow participants a small measure of the challenges associated with sleeping rough and the significant impact their support would have.

After a team photo at the trackside area, the group took their places for the long and cold night ahead, all in high spirits but perhaps a little apprehensive of what the next eight hours would bring.

At around 11pm, the group received a very special visit from Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell, manager Ronny Deila and members of his backroom team. They were attending a private event in the stadium and felt strongly about showing their support for the Sleep-Out.

Ronny and Peter each donated £1,000 and goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods held a collection which raised a further £950.

This set the group up perfectly for the cold night ahead and the enthusiasm, pride and positivity remained throughout.

Special thanks must go to the Celtic TV team of Summer Harl and Maggie Pentcheva  who gave up their time to cover the event for the duration, and also to Ambulance Scotland for providing the comfort of paramedic support – at no cost to the charity – throughout the night.

At 6.00am, the Celtic Sleep-Out drew to a close with a warm breakfast in the Jock Stein Lounge.

However, the generosity of the participants didn’t stop there as many then donated their sleeping bags and floor mats to The Invisibles and these will now make a huge difference to those sleeping rough on the streets of our city.

Celtic FC Foundation would like to thank each and every Celtic Sleep-Out participant for their phenomenal efforts and all of those who supported them along the way. You have made a genuine difference to the lives of others.

Thank you for following the Celtic Way to help us give back this Christmas.

If you like to support the efforts of the Celtic Sleep-Out team, there’s still time to donation online HERE