FOLLOWING on from a £3,000 donation to Yorkhill Children’s Charity on Thursday, Celtic FC Foundation are delighted to confirm that this year’s Christmas Appeal has supported its second beneficiary.

The Foundation hosted a Christmas party on Sunday at Celtic Park for 120 guests who use the services of Simon Community Scotland.

The festive carvery lunch took place in the Kerrydale Suite and was funded as a result of the magnificent generosity to date of the Celtic Family through the 2015 Christmas Appeal.
Celtic legend Tom Boyd was delighted to represent the club and spent time chatting to the guests and signing autographs.

Also in attendance were Celtic FC Foundation’s CEO, Tony Hamilton and, from Simon Community Scotland, John Matthews (Chairman), Mary Craig (Trustee) and a number of staff and volunteers.

For over four decades, the focus of Simon Community Scotland has been to combat the causes and effects of homelessness.

This service provision includes prevention of rough-sleeping, an intensive outreach programme, emergency access as well as offering education around developing life-skills and gaining accommodation.

Celtic FC Foundation CEO Tony Hamilton said, “We have a wonderful relationship with Simon Community Scotland and have assisted their efforts over a number of years.

“I’m absolutely delighted that the support of the Celtic Family has allowed us to, once again, make a positive impact this Christmas.

“I would like to thank those who have donated to our Christmas Appeal so far and those who will lend their support in the next couple of weeks. You have made a difference to those who need our help and this event proves that.”

Lorraine McGrath, Chief Executive of Simon Community Scotland said: “It’s Christmas party season again and most of us are looking forward to catching up with friends, colleagues and family at lunches, nights out and each other’s homes.

“Over 100 homeless people for who that is not usually an option enjoyed the warmth, hospitality, fun and great food that the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park has to offer at the Simon Community Christmas Lunch.

“This was only possible due to the generous backing of Celtic FC Foundation, who have supported us to bring Christmas cheer to homeless people in Glasgow for many years.

“It means an awful lot to be able to enjoy the kind of festivities that most of us take for granted at this time of year. It helps us show just how much each person matters.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supports Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal and enables them to help us bring a little joy and comfort to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

For most of us, Christmas is a time of joy. It’s different for those facing poverty and hardship.

Through this year’s Appeal, we want to help around 200 local families provide a happy Christmas for their children. To keep the magic alive.

As well as Yorkhill Children’s Charity and Simon Community Scotland, we also want to support another eight charities who care for those experiencing homeless or other disadvantage, including Spirit Aid, Glasgow East Women’s Aid, Scottish Refugee Council, The Salvation Army, The Invisibles, Glasgow City Mission, The Wayside Club Centre and Loaves & Fishes.

But we can’t do this without you.

Please follow the Celtic Way to help us give back this Christmas.

Any support you provide will help those who need it most and there are a number of ways to get behind the Christmas Appeal 2015:

– Donate by Text – text ‘CELT07’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70070

– Donate Online – HERE

– Donate via Paypal  – Click HERE and simply use our email address to donate: [email protected] Quote/Ref: CA2015

– 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.
– Support our rearranged bucket collection on Saturday, December 19 at Celtic Park

– Take part in our Champion Challenge – HERE 

– Come along to our Ghirls for Good ladies lunch on Saturday, December 12 – HERE

– Give as You Live via your Christmas shopping – HERE