As we look ahead to an exciting end to the season, Celtic FC Foundation are delighted to confirm that this year’s Badge Day will pay tribute to the man who started it all for Celtic, Brother Walfrid.
The initiative will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, ahead of the final cinch Premiership match of the season, against St Mirren – and that date is of particular significance, as it marks exactly 184 years to the day since our Founding Father was born in Ballymote, County Sligo.
He would go on to venture on the divine path as a young man by taking up the oath of the Marist Brotherhood. And as thousands of Irish took flight from the deprivation in their homeland by sailing to Glasgow, Brother Walfrid was assigned to Sacred Heart School in the city’s East End to cater for their spiritual and educational needs.
It was amid the poverty, neglect and intolerance of Victorian Glasgow, that Walfrid set out to achieve two key objectives; feeding the newcomers who were finding employment difficult to attain and integrating them into the mainstream of Scottish life.
From that point, he had a dream to form a football club that would help meet these objectives. His dream flourished and now countless thousands share his vision of a club that opens its doors to all.
Celtic FC Foundation exists today to carry on Brother Walfrid’s legacy, by assisting those most in need within our communities. And we are delighted to honour him with our latest charity pin badge, fittingly, on what would be his birthday.
This year’s unique badge features our Celtic FC Foundation branding, with an iconic image of Brother Walfrid sitting proudly at the centre, matching the one that dons the front of stadium banners at Celtic Park. It also features our motto ‘Football for Good’, a phrase which perfectly encapsulates our Founding Father’s vision for the Club.
Our 2024 Badge Day, which has once again been organised in collaboration with our Supporters’ Committee, will take place in the lead up to the 12.30pm kick off against St Mirren, as Celtic FC Foundation volunteers will be situated around the ground from 10.30am. If you are interested in volunteering at Badge Day, please contact [email protected] or call 0141 551 4321.
We are requesting a minimum donation of £2 per badge. Cash payments can be placed into one of our buckets and we will also offer a contactless payment option, through dedicated stations situated around the stadium footprint.
And for those who’re unable to attend the match, the badges are also available to pre order now via our eBay account HERE, with orders being dispatched during week commencing Monday, May 20, 2024.
Alternatively, they will be available in Celtic Stores from Saturday, May 18, by making a £2 donation in one of the Celtic FC Foundation boxes located at the tills.
Speaking ahead of Badge Day, Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton said: “We are privileged to pay tribute to Brother Walfrid through this year’s charity badge.
“Had it not been for his endeavours, there simply would not have been a Celtic Football Club, so for that, we owe him everything.
“Here at the Foundation, we strive to ensure that charitable ethos he instilled is maintained through the work that we do to help others and it is truly fitting that proceeds raised from these badges will do just that.”
