CELTIC FC Foundation has donated £17,000 to fund an ambulance which is being taken to the Greek island of Lesbos to assist in the current refugee crisis.

The donation is to the Glasgow Cares appeal, and the ambulance will provide medical aid for refugees.

There are 4,000 refugees arriving on Lesbos every day by boat and many are suffering from hypothermia, mild fractured and other medical conditions.

This is one of two ambulances being sent to the island where the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a leading charity on the refugee crisis, will be providing full time paramedic and health support staff support.

The donation from Celtic FC Foundation comes from the incredible total of £60,000 which was raised from various activities including the Jock Stein 30th Anniversary match and dinner, Andy Murray’s signed and auctioned Celtic top, and other fundraising activities.

Already, £40,000 was donated to British Red Cross for their European Refugee Appeal. This will provide desperately needed food and nourishment to 3,422 refugees in Greece, including people who have just arrived with little more than the clothes that they are wearing.

The food parcels include essentials such as clean drinking water, tinned fish, biscuits, crackers, fruit juice, raisins, antiseptic wipes, tea, sugar and cups

And Celtic FC Foundation has also given money to Re-Act Badenoch who will use the money to: 

– Purchase essentials like sleeping bags, tents, stoves, tarpaulins for distribution through Re-Act Scotland to where it is needed, when it is needed. 

– Divert some funds to Re-Act volunteers at crisis sites for buying fresh food and/or medical supplies on the spot.

– Divert some funds to assist with fuel costs for container we helped fill get from Skye to Greece.

– Purchase items for building winter-proof shelters and contribute to transportation costs.

Celtic Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell said: “We are delighted to be able to further assist the current refugee crisis by way of funding this ambulance. Many of the refugees arriving in Lesbos require immediate medical attention and the ambulance will be vital in helping to provide this service.

“Celtic’s continued support, in association with Glasgow Cares is only possible due to the incredible generosity of the Celtic Family. I would like to thank all of our supporters who have contributed and made this possible.

“Celtic was formed in 1888 to help people in need and our social dimension will always be fundamental to what we are as an institution. Charity is a part of the club’s DNA, it’s what makes Celtic the club it is. We are pleased and proud that, today, these values remain such an important part of our ethos.”

Former Scottish Labour Deputy Leader, Anas Sarwar founded the ‘Glasgow Cares’ appeal and set an ambitious target of raising £35,000 within 10 days in order to acquire and then deliver two ambulances to Lesvos.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted with the commitment Celtic FC Foundation has given to this important and life-saving cause. It demonstrates once again the kindness and generosity of the people of Glasgow.

“I received a call within hours of launching the appeal from Peter Lawwell who pledged his and the club’s full support.

“Thousands of desperate families are risking their lives to get to Lesbos and escape the sickening violence in Syria.”

“There are around 4,000 refugees arriving every day on Lesbos and currently there is no immediate health provision. As the weather starts to turn there is an increasing incidence of hypothermia, people with mild fractures and other medical problems.

“These ambulance will team up with a full-time team of paramedics and medical support staff and deliver vital and potentially life-saving treatments.

“The ambulance will proudly display the support of the Celtic FC Foundation and send a message that Glasgow cares.”

And Celtic FC Foundation CEO, Tony Hamilton, said: “The magnificent response from the Celtic support has allowed us to work in three diverse areas affecting refugees, with this latest venture with Glasgow Cares being another example of much needed practical support on the ground.

“We’ve given £40k to British Red Cross and made another donation to a local Scottish charity who are sending out supplies to those affected by this humanitarian disaster across Europe.

“Celtic FC Foundation cannot continue this work without the Club’s fans at home and abroad and we are extremely grateful for that support for this and our other initiatives.”