AS the build up to Christmas continues, we take a closer look at the work of another of this year’s Christmas Appeal beneficiaries, Refuweegee.
Refuweegee aim to ensure that all refugees arriving in Glasgow are provided with a warm welcome to the city in true Glaswegian style.
They do this by providing over 120 community-built welcome packs to people arriving in Scotland every month.
Each pack contains essentials like toiletries and warm clothing, some typically Glaswegian items such as a ‘People Make Glasgow’ umbrella as well as a ‘Letter Fae a Local’ – a personal, usually handwritten welcome letter from someone a little more familiar with Scotland.
Selina Hales of Refuweegee spoke of the support received through Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal.
She said: “While Christmas isn’t always a holiday that is celebrated by everyone that we work with, it is a time of the year that people tend to spend time with family, coorie in and take a well-needed end of year rest.
“For those that we work with, their problems don’t disappear over the holiday period. Asylum claims are still in process, evictions are still taking place and families are still having to struggle.
“Children are off school so need more food, more activities, more pocket money and that’s not something most of the families we work with have.
“The support from Celtic FC Foundation allows us to make this time of year that little bit easier for parents and a little bit more magical for children. From a food voucher to a toiletry set, a trip to the cinema or a bus ticket, it helps us to have the capacity to make a real difference to people.
“It allows us to be reactive and provide people with what they actually need rather than what we have. While toys, games and toiletries are all hugely appreciated and gratefully received, they aren’t comparable to a bus ticket that means you don’t have to walk to your appointment in the snow for two miles with your young children, or the buggy that means you can explore a new city with your child.
“There aren’t the words to thank those who make what we do possible. We and those we work with are eternally grateful for showing us the best side of this city, day after day. Thank you for making a difference with us.”
Refuweegee joins Glasgow East Women’s Aid, The Invisibles, St Roch’s FC Foundation, Glasgow City Mission, St Anne’s Primary School, St Anne’s Church, Spirit Aid and Salvation Army Parkhead as beneficiaries of the Christmas Appeal announced thus far.
Through our Appeal, we’re aiming to help local families and pensioners who face poverty and hardship, and a number of charities who care for those experiencing the torment of homelessness or other disadvantage.
So please help us Make Dreams Come True this Christmas.
To get behind the Christmas Appeal 2018, you can:
1. Donate by Text – text ‘CELT07’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70070
2. Donate Online HERE
3. Donate via Paypal HERE
4. Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores
5. Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow, G40 3RE.
6. Give As You Live via your Christmas Shopping HERE
7. Support our matchday bucket collection on Saturday, December 8 HERE
8. Take part in our Light up the Clover event on Thursday, December 13 HERE
9. Download Toy Tin Soldier’s charity single ‘A Club Where All Belong’ HERE
10. Make a donation to receive your ‘Celtic FC Foundation Letter from Santa’ HERE
11. Contribute via our Christmas Appeal eBay Auction, of which all proceeds will be donated to the Appeal – further details to follow.
Thank you for making a difference.
