CELTIC FC Foundation’s very first Celtic Sleep Out, London event took place at St Anne’s Primary School in Whitechapel on Friday night and the participants have already raised a magnificent total of over £10,000, with efforts ongoing.

If you would like to support the Celtic Sleep Out, London team, there’s still time to donate online HERE 

St Anne’s Primary School holds huge emotional and historical significance for the Celtic Family.

In 1892, five years after his leading role in the formation of Celtic Football Club, the Marist Order moved Brother Walfrid from Glasgow to the Whitechapel area of London’s East End.

Over the next 15 years, as Head Teacher at St Anne’s Primary, Brother Walfrid transformed the school and also established local boys’ clubs and a project to provide meals to the poor in the local community.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to both St Anne’s Primary School and St Anne’s Church who allowed us to use the facilities completely free of charge. We couldn’t have delivered this event without them.

Our incredible volunteers arrived at St Anne’s Church – where Brother Walfrid lived during his time in London – at 9.00pm, complete with sleeping bags and other supplies for the bitterly cold night ahead.

A magnificent seven CSCs were represented on the night – Maidenhead, Underground, Martin O’Neill Reading, Luton, Hayes Bhoys, Wimbledon and St Pat’s Greenford – and also individual supporters who took on the challenge alongside their fellow Celts.

Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, welcomed the group and provided a vote of thanks for their support and outstanding efforts.

Then it was team photo time at the church before the volunteers made the short walk over to St Anne’s Primary School.

At 10.00pm – in honour of our founding father – the participants took their places in the playground for the long and cold night ahead, perhaps a little apprehensive of what the next eight hours would bring. Camaraderie, compassion, pride and determination endured throughout the event, despite the conditions.

At 6.00am, spirits remained high as our inaugural Celtic Sleep Out, London drew to a close with a team huddle and a rendition of ’Let’s all do the Huddle’.

All funds raised will support our 2017 Christmas Appeal.

We want to help around 300 local families facing poverty, to provide a meal on the table and gifts for the kids. We want to bring the magic of Christmas to those homes.

We are also looking to help vulnerable local pensioners to ease the financial burden at a challenging time of year plus a number of other local charities who support those experiencing homelessness or other disadvantage.

Beneficiaries confirmed so far include two based in London – St Anne’s Primary School and the Cardinal Hume Centre.

Support from Celtic FC Foundation will allow the school to take pupils, many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, on Christmas outings, as well as provide them with a Christmas party.

Founded by Cardinal Basil Hume in 1986, the centre offers people access to the skills and support needed to overcome poverty and homelessness. It gives homeless young people, families in need and local people the support they need to realise their full potential.

Any donation received will go towards providing Christmas presents, food, parties and outings for local families, including refugees and those experiencing homelessness in the community.

There is also an opportunity to support the Cardinal Hume Centre’s ‘Turning Lives Around’ programme which offers regular digital learning sessions, providing homeless young people with the opportunity to learn vital IT skills required to move forward in life.

In addition, we are offering supporters the chance to assist the Cardinal Hume Centre directly through their Christmas wish list which includes essential items such as sleeping bags, warm and wet weather clothing, food staples and Christmas treats. The full wish list of items can be found HERE 

Celtic FC Foundation would like to thank each and every Celtic Sleep Out, London 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 the most vulnerable in our community.

Thank you for helping us Share the Spirit of Celtic this Christmas to support those who need it most.