AS part of the 2017 Lions’ Legacy fundraising campaign, Celtic FC Foundation undertook a joint venture with Mary’s Meals to build 67 Kitchens in Africa; 47 in Malawi and 20 in Zambia.

The 67 Kitchens are now fully operational, with the number of children enrolled at those schools totalling 44,459.

In keeping with Mary’s Meals’ successful model, the Kitchens are located in school grounds, to encourage learning and increase opportunities. The aim is that every child is provided with one daily meal at school where they receive an education that can, in the future, be their ladder out of poverty.

Following our previous investment of £356.5K, we are now delighted to announce that a balance of £100K has been donated to Mary’s Meals, to help contribute towards the feeding and maintenance costs of these kitchens.

This has been raised largely by CSCs and individual supporters through sponsorship of the 67 Kitchens and we are so grateful for this magnificent contribution.

This phenomenal effort will ensure that each of these Kitchens continues to provide much needed meals to hungry children across Malawi and Zambia, every school day.

Speaking of the donation, Celtic FC Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell said: “We are absolutely thrilled to provide further support to one of our long standing charity partners in Mary’s Meals, through this wonderful £100K donation.

“The Celtic support have, as they always do, got behind this initiative in a tremendous way and their efforts will help ensure that these Kitchens will continue to prosper and improve the lives of some the world’s most impoverished children.

“I would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has been involved in making this project such an enormous success over these past three years.”

Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton added: “Celtic FC Foundation are delighted to make this additional contribution towards the 67 Kitchens project. Thousands of children are now being fed at school, which is such an integral and crucial element of the Lions’ Legacy. We must express our gratitude to Mary’s Meals for all of their efforts throughout this wonderful partnership.

“The backing we have received from our supporters, as always, has been truly incredible and, thanks to their endeavours, we can assist Mary’s Meals in sustaining the feeding and maintenance of these kitchens. A huge thank you to all of the supporters’ clubs and individuals who have generously sponsored a Kitchen. And great thanks too to our dear friend, Scottish artist Gerard Burns, for his ongoing support in this and other Celtic FC Foundation initiatives”.

Daniel Adams, Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, said: “This incredible donation from Celtic FC Foundation and its generous supporters will help us to keep reaching hungry children in Malawi and Zambia, with life-changing meals.

“Receiving this gift, on top of the support we have already had from the Lions’ Legacy campaign, has brought us unexpected joy. It is particularly appreciated in a year that has been so difficult for us all, and that has seen hunger reach acute levels in a number of the places where we work.

“The unmatched kindness of Celtic supporters across the globe is a legacy that will transform the lives of children in some of the world’s poorest communities for generations to come. Thank you!”

Celtic FC Foundation’s current focus is on the ongoing Football for Good Fund, which is providing food and essentials to those most in need within our communities.

Since the launch of the Football for Good Fund and throughout the coming months, the Foundation have ensured and will continue to ensure food parcels, basic necessities, hot meals and other critical interventions are available to the growing number of people affected by the ruthlessness of COVID-19.

But we can’t do it alone.

To find out more about the Football for Good Fund and how you can get involved, please visit www.footballforgoodfund.com