Celtic FC Foundation, in partnership with Islamic Relief UK, have this week distributed 500 essential food packages to help support vulnerable families in our local communities through the Football for Good Fund.

Foundation staff and volunteers worked alongside Islamic Relief UK at Glasgow North East Foodbank over the past two days to help pack and distribute the 500 food packages to 14 charitable organisations across Glasgow.

Each of the individual food packages contained 21 items which included pasta, cereal, rice, tea, fish, vegetables, flour, milk and personal hygiene products.

The food drive was made possible thanks to a donation of over £13,000 to the Football for Good Fund from Islamic Relief UK. Established in the UK in 1984, the organisation is a faith-inspired humanitarian aid and development agency working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Islamic Relief UK work in over 35 countries and help promote sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities – regardless of race, religion or gender.

Over the past few months, Islamic Relief UK have worked to distribute food packages to partners across the UK, including hosting food drives in London, Liverpool and Birmingham.

Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive of Celtic FC Foundation said: “We are very grateful to Islamic Relief UK for funding this Glasgow-wide food drive initiative. And we’re also very grateful to around a dozen or so of our partners across the city who have managed to get the food and provisions to 500 families who need it urgently. Our thanks too to Intelligent Car Leasing, Dunn’s Foods in Blantyre and Aldi at the Forge Retail Park.

“We knew this food drive initiative took place across the country, including at Liverpool FC, and we were delighted to receive the funding in order that we could do the same thing across Glasgow. It’s unimaginable the hardship that many families and individuals are facing right now, and this goes a long way to alleviate that.

“Celtic FC Foundation’s Football For Good Fund has thrived in the past 16 months because so many people have played a part. Our Trustees and the team at the Foundation and across the football club are committed to ensuring we reach as many people as we possibly can for the next few months. But for that to happen we need the support from the likes of Islamic Relief UK, our other funders, and individual supporters across the globe to continue.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK added: “Celtic FC Foundation have been integral in our Glasgow-based distribution this week. Working as our partner, they have helped us identify both vulnerable people and community groups in the city.

“We distributed alongside 12 of their trusted partners with an aim of reaching refugees, asylum seekers, those who have suffered domestic abuse, school children who have just started their summer holidays and many more.

“Since the pandemic, we have seen many families fall into deprivation and we are doing our utmost to support those who need it most. Earlier this year, we undertook a similar venture with Liverpool FC and will continue to work with partners throughout the UK this July to deliver thousands more food packs.”

For further details on the Football for Good Fund or any other Celtic FC Foundation activities, please email [email protected] and we will respond to you as soon as we possibly can.