IN honour of the Lisbon Lions, the67 Kitchens initiative will see the building of 67 school kitchens in countries where extreme poverty is claiming lives every day.

We recently announced how Celtic Supporters’ Clubs are fundraising to each sponsor one of the 67 kitchens, with the facility at each Mary’s Meals school then displaying the naming banner of its founding CSC.

One such club is the Preston Emerald CSC, who gathered on the Celtic Way before Saturday’s match against Hibernian to mark the hard work and generosity of their members in fundraising for Celtic FC Foundation during the 2016/17 season.

Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, was on hand at Celtic Park to offer thanks and receive an official cheque presentation from the club’s members, who had made the matchday journey to Glasgow.

During Preston Emerald’s 50th Anniversary of Lisbon celebration dinner dance on Saturday, June 17, at the Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club, a fantastic £1,500 was raised and will be used to help fund one of the 67 Kitchens built as part of the Lions’ Legacy campaign.

The club also celebrated its own 30th Anniversary on the night and sent special thanks to Lisbon Lions, John Fallon and Charlie Gallagher who travelled to Preston to help mark this momentous occasion.

As well as their distinguished guests from Glasgow, friends arrived from Scarborough, Carlisle, Liverpool, Manchester, Accrington, Blackburn, Darwen and, of course, Preston. 

Everyone was made sincerely welcome and Celtic FC Foundation, alongside Preston Emerald CSC, would like to thank each attendee for their presence and contribution to the charitable element of the evening via the giving of generous donations and raffle prizes.

Frank Davis of the Preston Emerald CSC said: “Through John and Charlie’s presence, the evening provided an excellent opportunity to introduce our younger members to players from the 1966/67 season.

“In today’s game it is widely recognised that football is a game that involves a squad. Both John and Charlie contributed to the early successes of the Jock Stein era which were the building blocks to Lisbon.

“Charlie Gallagher also played a key part in the games he played in the 1966/67 season with massive contributions to vital goals.

“As well as the 50th anniversary of the Lions, it was also a night to mark the 30 years that the Preston Emerald CSC has been running.

“Many members have come and gone over those years and with 15+ keen youngsters on our bus every other week, the future looks bright for another 30 years.”

Celtic FC Foundation was also delighted to recently receive a very kind donation of £1,168 from Wimbledon CSC following their 20th Anniversary dinner in June.

This follows the incredible support and fundraising work of Celtic Supporters’ Clubs throughout London during the 2016/17 season.