THE Lurgan No.1 Celtic Supporters’ Club hosted a fabulous fundraiser for Celtic FC Foundation last Saturday, October 10.

A magnificent total of £3,000 was raised and Celtic FC Foundation are overwhelmed and humbled by the incredible response. All funds will directly support our new Ability Counts Ireland project.

Organised by Maria Foy and other members of the Committee, the evening included live music, DJ, a raffle featuring a host of fantastic prizes and the SPFL trophy.

It was supported by around 150 guests, including Celtic FC Foundation Ambassador, Jay Beatty.The award for hardest and most committed worker on the night goes to the wonderful Tiarnan Haddock.

A touching speech from Jim Seeley was warmly received as he highlighted the charitable beginnings of Celtic Football Club, the strive by Celtic FC Foundation to continue to honour that heritage, the potential of Ability Counts Ireland and the history of the Lurgan No.1 CSC.

Ability Counts has been operating in Scotland since 2010, in partnership with Down’s Syndrome Scotland, and uses the power of dance and football coaching to engage with children and young people with Down’s Syndrome. 

The project includes weekly football and dance coaching sessions, diet and nutrition advice, team-building and confidence-building activities.

Workforce development is extremely important, and as such, all Celtic FC Foundation staff involved received training from Down’s Syndrome Scotland prior to the commencement of the project.

This included Down’s Syndrome Awareness, the learning profile of children with Down’s Syndrome and some basic signing. 

Ability Counts received European recognition by winning the European Club Association’s ‘Best Community and Social Responsibility Project Award 2011’. It also won the ‘People’s Choice Heart and Soul Award’ at the 2012 Scottish Charity Awards.

Due to its overwhelming success, Celtic FC Foundation are now looking to expand the reach of Ability Counts by introducing delivery in Ireland, honouring the roots of our Club.

The phenomenal support from the Lurgan No.1 Celtic supporters’ club, on Saturday night, coupled with over £4,000 raised through our recent Famine Memorial Shirt Auction, means we now have the platform to begin consultations with local agencies to kickstart Ability Counts Ireland.

We would like to thank Maria Foy, all members of the supporters’ club in Lurgan, every other guest and donor who got behind this outstanding event and those who supported the Famine Memorial Shirt Auction.