CELTIC FC Foundation are delighted to confirm that this year’s Christmas Appeal has supported its first beneficiary.

The Foundation hosted a Christmas party yesterday (Sunday) at Celtic Park for 120 guests who use the services of Glasgow Simon Community.

The festive carvery lunch took place in the Kerrydale Suite and was funded as a result of the magnificent generosity to date of the Celtic Family through the 2014 Christmas Appeal.

Celtic legend Tom Boyd and current stars Darnell Fisher and Liam Henderson were delighted to represent the Club and spent time chatting to the guests and signing autographs. 

Also in attendance were Celtic FC Foundation’s CEO, Tony Hamilton and, from Glasgow Simon Community, John Matthews (Chairman), Lorraine McGrath (Chief Executive) and a number of Trustees and volunteers.

The Glasgow Simon Community has been developing and delivering services with and for people who experience homelessness for over four decades.

Service delivery includes prevention of rough-sleeping, intensive outreach, emergency access, supported accommodation and life-skills development groups.

Celtic FC Foundation CEO Tony Hamilton said, “We have been a long-time supporter of Glasgow Simon Community and I’m delighted that we are able to continue this in 2014 through the Christmas Appeal.

“It’s wonderful to see the event hosted at Celtic Park for the very first time and it’s great to see that the Celtic supporters are making a genuine difference.

“I would like to thank those who have donated to the Appeal so far and those who will lend their support in the next couple of weeks. You have made a difference to those who need our help and this event proves that.”

Glasgow Simon Community Chief Executive, Lorraine McGrath added: “‘We are once again extremely grateful to Celtic FC Foundation, and everyone who has supported their Christmas Appeal, for funding and arranging this wonderful Christmas lunch for people experiencing homelessness in Glasgow.

“Like all the best songs tell us, Christmas is a time when the comforts, joy and warmth of home and family take on a greater meaning. Homelessness not only means not having even the smallest comforts that a home offers but also leads to isolation from family and friends.

“Too many people still find themselves without a home; more than 6500 people registered as homeless in Glasgow last year alone.

“The fact the Simon Community Christmas lunch this year took place in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park, where many office and workplace teams will be celebrating their Christmas parties in the coming weeks, offers the people attending that same opportunity to share in Christmas celebrations and that carries immeasurable value for some of the most excluded and vulnerable people in Glasgow today.”

The 2014 Christmas Appeal aims to provide a proper Christmas meal for around 200 local families and gifts for the younger family members who otherwise would go without. If we don’t help them there might not be a Christmas in those households.

In addition to Glasgow Simon Community, we are also aiming to support another eight local charities who care for those experiencing the torment of homelessness or other disadvantage:

– Glasgow East Women’s Aid (Gifts, toys and family outings gifts for those in the refuge)

– Spirit Aid (Christmas hampers for those in need in the West of Scotland)

– Loaves and Fishes (a hot meal in the cold weather for the homeless and those living in poverty)

– The Wayside Club Centre (a refuge and meal on Christmas day for the homeless)

– Glasgow City Mission (support for their Older Men’s Club which provides food and companionship)

– Scottish Refugee Council (support for refugees facing their first Christmas in Scotland)

– The Invisibles (warm goods and clothing for the City’s homeless)

– Yorkhill Children’s Charity (gifts and activities for children facing a hospital stay over Christmas)

The generosity and compassion of the Celtic Family is unique and unsurpassed and, with over £40,000 already raised, it truly honours the founding principles of Brother Walfrid.

Please help us brighten up lives and reach our goal this Christmas.

You can still get behind the Christmas Appeal 2014 in the following ways:

1. Attend our inaugural Ghirls for Good ladies lunch on Saturday, December 13. Details HERE 

2. Donate at Celtic Park – we will be hosting a bucket collection at the home match against St Mirren on Saturday, December 14.

3. Donate by Text – text ‘CELT07’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70070

4. Donate Online HERE    

5. Donate by 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. GAYL – support through online shopping HERE