With Sleep Out events having already taken place in Derry and Glasgow last month, Celtic FC Foundation completed the hat-trick on Saturday night, as St Anne’s Primary School in Whitechapel once again played host to our London event.

The wonderful, hardy group of participants included 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, Swindon Shamrock, West London and Wimbledon.

And we were also delighted to be joined by two volunteers from Bow Foodbank, just one of the London based beneficiary organisations that will benefit from proceeds generated through this event.

Through their efforts, the group have already raised a magnificent total in excess of £11,000. However, fundraising is ongoing and there’s still time to support the London Sleep Out team by making a donation HERE.

Participants arrived at 8.15pm and were welcomed into St Anne’s Church by the parish community who had very generously arranged hot drinks, sandwiches and biscuits. Parish Priest, Father Patrick Francischini, then provided a beautiful blessing, ahead of the challenge.

Following a vote of thanks and briefing session by Foundation staff, the group then made their way to St Anne’s Primary School – where Brother Walfrid was Head Teacher following his time at Celtic – for the Sleep Out, as temperatures plummeted to below freezing point.

We would like to express our thanks to Head Teacher, Louise Nottage and School Premises Manager, Keith Rashid of St Anne’s Primary and to Father Patrick Francischini and Father Jose Eduardo V Medeiros of St Anne’s Church, for the wonderful warmth and hospitality they have shown us once again.

Our Sleep Out hosts – St Anne’s Primary School and Church – will also join Bow Foodbank as London based Appeal beneficiaries this year, together with Cardinal Hume Centre, Scotscare and Whitechapel Mission.

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.

Our 2023 Christmas Appeal aims to bring comfort and light up the lives of many who would otherwise struggle over the festive period.

This includes local families facing poverty, so they can enjoy the type of Christmas that many of us take for granted.

As well as pensioners, women and children in refuge, the homeless community and refugees and a host of others experiencing hardship.

Together, we can Light Up Someone’s Christmas this festive season.

To get behind this year’s Christmas Appeal, you can also:

1. Donate online HERE
2. Donate via PayPal HERE
3. Donate via Facebook HERE
4. Donate by text – text ‘CELTIC’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70085*
5. Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores
6. Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow G40 3RE
7. Bid on our Appeal eBay Auction for two fantastic Walfrid Restaurant experiences HERE
8. Make a donation and hang an item on our Virtual Christmas Tree HERE
9. Provide support through your Christmas shopping in Celtic stores or online by purchasing an item from ‘Walfrid’s Wishlist’ HERE
10. Purchase our brand new Foundation T-shirt HERE
11. Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live HERE
12. Enter our Christmas Appeal Prize Draw HERE
13. Sign up for the Santa Stroll 1 Mile or 5K on Sunday, December 17 HERE

Thank you for your magnificent support.

*Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard rate message.