Through Celtic FC Foundation’s annual Christmas Appeal, we have been encouraging you to ‘Share the Magic’ of Celtic this festive season.
We are aiming to assist a number of beneficiary organisations who support families, pensioners, women and children in refuge, the homeless community and refugees – as well as a whole host of others facing poverty and hardship.
We continue our focus on these charity beneficiaries today, as we turn our attention towards those providing assistance to individuals and families who have come to the UK to seek refuge.
In a year where the plight of those fleeing their homelands due to issues such as war, poverty, discrimination and climate change has never been highlighted more, the requirement for help is now more evident than ever.
Thanks to invaluable support earlier this year from the ECA’s Ukraine Relief Committee and the UEFA Foundation in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, Celtic FC Foundation set up our own project to aid families who have been affected by the conflict and have settled in Glasgow.
However, today we focus on the incredible work that our Christmas Appeal beneficiaries – Refugee Survival Trust, Refuweegee, Safe in Scotland and Scottish Refugee Council – have carried out for years and continue to do so.
Each year, the backing of the Celtic support for our Appeal makes a real difference to the lives of so many and we heard from some of these beneficiary organisations about the support they’ve received.
Esther Muchena, of Scottish Refugee Council, said: “For the refugee children and families we support, the festive period can be very lonely and a painful reminder of the loved ones they have left behind or lost to war.
“With the little financial support families get from the Home Office, it is difficult for parents to buy enough food for Christmas, so toys, decorations, new clothes or family days out, are not really a priority.
“For a child, a simple toy can bring a smile back and be a friend, festive food can bring a few moments of content and good times with family can be a reminder that all is not lost. This has become possible in the last few years with the help of Celtic FC Foundation.
“So thank you and thanks to all your supporters who continue to bring the joy of Christmas to refugee children and families through their very generous donations.”
Selina Hales, of Refuweegee added: “We are so grateful for the support over the last few years, as a result of which we have been able provide food and gifts to thousands of individuals who would otherwise go without over the Christmas period.
“With the increased number of arrivals this year and moving into an office that now works as a community welcome hub, we are busier than ever. Our new space means that we can reach even more people – we welcome over 300 people a week and provide a community lunch every weekday.
“We are once again hoping to provide a wonderful Christmas for as many people as possible – many of whom will be spending Christmas Day in hotels or other accommodation.
‘Our huge thanks go to Celtic FC Foundation and contributors to the Appeal. We couldn’t do what we do without people like you!’
Cath McGee from Refugee Survival Trust also expressed her gratitude, saying: “Christmas and New Year can be difficult for refugee families, as many are separated from their loved ones and feel very isolated.
“The winter months can be difficult for families who are not used to our cold climate and cannot afford to buy winter clothing for the children. Donations have allowed us to provide ‘Winter Warmer’ supermarket vouchers to refugee families, so they can buy clothing and extra food over the festive period.
“We would like to thank Celtic FC Foundation and everyone who has donated to the Appeal for supporting our work.”
You can hear more from Cath and Refugee Survival Trust in our latest Appeal beneficiary VT and you can read more about the partner organisations which will benefit from your support via our Christmas Appeal webpage HERE.
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:
- 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
