Friday night saw Celtic FC Foundation host a festive extravaganza, as 300 wonderful guests joined us at Celtic Park’s Kerrydale Suite for our annual Ghirls for Good event and, yet again, it was a night to remember.
This initiative plays a vital role in the Christmas Appeal and a magnificent total in the region of £24,000 was raised.
The event – which was sponsored for a fifth time by the incredible Ellen Kane Trust – was hosted once again by the one and only Edward Reid, who as always, wowed guests with his inimitable brand of entertainment.
Attendees were welcomed to the Kerrydale by Celtic Santa, before receiving a complimentary drink on arrival and the evening kicked off with the latest Celtic Christmas advert, showcasing that this year’s Club Christmas campaign is being delivered in conjunction with the Foundation’s Appeal.
Following the advert, our host with the most got the party started with his first song of the night– Just Can’t Get Enough – and he was accompanied by a fantastic group of Irish dancers from the Peter Thompson Academy.
Our guests were then treated to a beautiful festive three-course meal, which was complemented by some mesmerising tricks from magician Mark Gordon, who made his way around the tables.
Next up, we heard from Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou and club captain, Callum McGregor in our Christmas Appeal VT, before a vote of thanks from Celtic FC Foundation’s Head of Income, Jane Maguire.
Kirsten Watson, Chief Executive at Glasgow Children’s Hospital – one of the organisations set to benefit from both monetary and toy donations this year – then shared some words of thanks and highlighted the heartbreaking challenges faced by so many of the children and families they support.
Between courses, Edward Reid performed a beautiful rendition of ‘Grace’ and got the entire room singing along with a wonderful version of ‘The Fields of Athenry’.
Following dinner, guests were treated to some special messages of thanks from a host of Lennoxtown favourites, including Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, Jota, Josip Juranovic, James Forrest, Anthony Ralston and Joe Hart.
This was then followed by a hysterical game of reverse bingo hosted by Edward, as a variety of green yet very random prizes – including a pot noodle, some washing up liquid and a blow-up alien – were dished out to the winners.
And just before Edward got the Kerrydale Suite really going with his stunning live set, there was time for a quick chance to raise even more funds for the Appeal, as he kindly auctioned off one of his own very glamourous sequin jackets. Green, of course.
Thanks to an incredible donation from event sponsor, the Ellen Kane Trust, the Fly High New York Draw was back and proved to be even more popular than ever!
For an entry fee of just £10, guests had the opportunity to win a quite outstanding prize – a stunning package for two people to New York City including return flights from Glasgow and three nights’ accommodation in a double or twin room in a hotel close to Times Square.
The draw was made by Angela Quinn of the Ellen Kane Trust and one very lucky Ghirl went home with a Christmas gift like no other!
The evening also included festive DJ Paddy, Christmas stalls, a beautiful selection of chocolate covered strawberries on each table – courtesy of Strawberry and Dipped – and a Free Prize Draw featuring a host of amazing prizes.
Each gorgeous Ghirl was also invited to bring along a gift for a local child and, as always, we were truly humbled by donations received on the night. These will now be distributed to children who are sick or disadvantaged before the sleigh bells ring on Christmas Eve.
The beneficiary organisations include Bargeddie Toddlers, Children in Care in Edinburgh and Fife, Community and Beyond Toy Bank, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Glasgow East Women’s Aid, Glasgow North East Social Work, Glasgow Women’s Aid, Kids Out, Loaves & Fishes, Salvation Army Parkhead, Scottish Refugee Council, Simon Community Scotland and Spirit Aid.
Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton spoke following the event, saying: “Yet again, our Ghirls for Good event has been a massive success and it never fails to put a smile on the face of everyone lucky enough to be there – even me!
“I’d like to thank each and every guest who attended for their fantastic contributions to this year’s Christmas Appeal.
“Special thanks go to our sponsor and Fly High NY donor – the Ellen Kane Trust – who time and time again provide such phenomenal backing for the Foundation and our efforts.
“Huge thanks also to Edward Reid, Ange Postecoglou, Callum McGregor and the other members of the first team squad, dancers from the Peter Thompson Academy, Mark Gordon, DJ Paddy, Strawberry and Dipped, Celtic Santa, everyone who donated a prize, our print donor Bell & Bain and our volunteers Craig and Mairi, for the part that each of them has played.
“Thanks to your support, we will be able to Share the Magic this Christmas, with those who need it most.”
Funds raised at Ghirls for Good will be devoted to supporting our 2022 Christmas Appeal. Through the Appeal we aim to give hundreds of families in our communities the Christmas they deserve, making sure there’s food on the table and gifts under the tree.
We also want to help pensioners, women and children in refuge, the homeless community and refugees – as well as a whole host of others facing poverty and hardship.
The generosity and compassion of the Celtic support is truly unsurpassed and we simply cannot make a difference to the lives of so many without you.
Together, we can Share the Magic this Christmas.
To get behind this year’s Christmas Appeal, you can also:
- Donate online HERE
- Donate via PayPal HERE
- Donate via Facebook HERE
- Donate by text – text ‘CELTIC’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70085*
- 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
- Provide support through your Christmas shopping in Celtic stores or online by purchasing an item from ‘Walfrid’s Wishlist’ HERE
- Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live and AmazonSmile HERE
- Sign up for the Celtic Sleep Out, Donegal on Saturday, December 3 HERE
- Sign up for the Santa Stroll 1 Mile or 5K on Saturday, December 10 HERE
- Sign up for the Celtic Sleep Out, London on Saturday, December 10 HERE
- Enter our new Christmas Appeal Prize Draw HERE
- Purchase our brand new T-shirt– further details to follow.
Thank you for your magnificent support.
*Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard rate message
