On Saturday night, 30 brave Celtic supporters took part in Celtic FC Foundation’s fifth London Sleep Out event, as we returned to St Anne’s Primary School in Whitechapel for what proved to be the coldest event in the city yet.
The wonderful group was made up of a number of individuals, as well as representatives from a host of CSCs from in and around the London area – Brother Walfrid East London, Harrow Shamrock, Hayes Bhoys, Maidenhead, Martin O’Neill Reading, Medway Emerald, Ramsgate Emerald, Underground, West London and Wimbledon.
Through their efforts, the group are on course to raise a magnificent total in excess of £24K. However, fundraising is ongoing and there’s still time to support the team by making a donation HERE.
Participants arrived at 8.15pm and were welcomed into St Anne’s Church by parishioners who had very generously arranged hot drinks and sandwiches. Parish Priest, Father Jose Eduardo V Medeiros, then provided a beautiful blessing for the group, ahead of their challenge.
It was on the grounds of St Anne’s Primary School though, where they would spend the next eight hours, braving the cold, as temperatures plummeted to a very challenging -3 degrees. However, with the camaraderie and mutual support which typifies the Celtic family, spirits remained high throughout the night.
We would like to express our thanks to Head Teacher, Sheila Mouna and School Premises Manager, Keith Rashid of St Anne’s Primary and to Father Jose and Father Patrick of St Anne’s Church, for the wonderful warmth and hospitality they have shown us once again.
The church and the school will be two of this year’s London-based Appeal beneficiaries, as every penny secured through this event will be spent directly in the city, to support those most in need within a number of communities.
Speaking of the support, Sheila Mouna said: “The money donated to St Anne’s Primary from the Christmas Appeal has made so many children very happy.
“It has helped us to provide a pantomime and Christmas party in the school for the children and also assist some of the families who are struggling most with supermarket vouchers, to make things a little easier.
“Thank you so much to Celtic FC Foundation and the supporters for bringing smiles to so many children and for continuing the legacy of Brother Walfrid in East London.”
Father Patrick added: “So quickly off the back of the pandemic, we are now experiencing another crisis. High inflation and the consequences of a war that have left deep marks, not only on the battlefield, but throughout the world, especially affecting those most in need.
“Therefore, we would like to kindly thank you for your donations, giving us the possibility to help needy families, who are still in difficult financial situations. God bless your generosity.”
In addition to St Anne’s School and Church, contributions will also be made to Borderline, Bow Foodbank, Cardinal Hume Centre and Whitechapel Mission. You can read more about these and our other Appeal beneficiaries on our webpage HERE.
We would like to thank all of our Sleep Out participants for their outstanding efforts in support of this year’s Christmas Appeal, as well as everyone who has sponsored them and provided assistance along the way.
Through our Appeal, we want 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 aim 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:
- 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
- Purchase our brand new T-shirt HERE
- Enter our Christmas Appeal Prize Draw HERE
Thank you for your magnificent support.
*Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard rate message
