CELTIC FC Foundation are delighted to announce that our Ability Counts project has won the Best Community Project at The Herald’s 2016 Diversity Awards.

Recognising impactful contributions to equality and inclusivity across the public, private and third-sectors, The Herald’s Diversity Awards acknowledge the importance of community-based projects in adding value and creating opportunities.

In a very competitive category, Celtic FC Foundation emerged victorious against strong opposition, and this award represents another accolade for our burgeoning Ability Counts project.

Operating continuously since 2010, Celtic FC Foundation’s Ability Counts project offers weekly football coaching and dance elements designed to foster and promote inclusion, diversity and friendship between children and young people with Down’s Syndrome.

Over the years, Ability Counts has incrementally evolved, with 2015 marking the introduction of an additional strand encompassing children with Autism – and allied to the growth and success of Ability Counts has been the monumental backing of the Celtic family.

Generous donations from supporters have seen proceeds from this year’s annual Golf Day, Sporting Dinner and the Club’s 2016/17 Season Ticket Campaign, directly fund our Ability Counts initiative – and Celtic FC Foundation would like to reiterate our gratitude and appreciation to the Celtic support for their continuously phenomenal generosity.

Celtic FC Foundation would also like to pay a special tribute to the participants of Ability Counts. In tandem with industry acclaim and award recognition, the strength of Ability Counts is epitomised in the children and young people who continue to thrive and flourish through their involvement with the project.

Celtic Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, said: “As an initiative with great longevity and value, it’s hugely encouraging to see the merits of Ability Counts being realised with this Award.

“Ultimately, it is a testament to the unwavering and exceptional generosity we receive from the Celtic support. It is because of their contribution that we are able to deliver enriching projects like Ability Counts and I’d like thank our supporters for their continued backing.”

Celtic FC Foundation CEO, Tony Hamilton, added: “We are very proud of the long-standing Ability Counts project and we’re very grateful to the Herald Group for recognising it with this award.

“We aim to make a difference to people’s lives and the Ability Counts participants have helped us enormously in doing that. Ability Counts, like our work tackling poverty, creating educational opportunities and delivering employability for marginalised groups, is only possible because the Club and its supporters across the world are backing us.”

Ability Counts Down’s Syndrome is delivered at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Saturdays from 1 to 4pm. If you would like more information, please contact [email protected]