THE Celtic squad were greeted by a special guest this morning as eight-year-old Abbie Boyd visited the Lennoxtown Training Centre in preparation for Celtic Charity Wonderland.

Abbie, who has MLD (Metachromatic leukodystrophy), regularly benefits from the work done by CHAS (Children´s Hospice Association Scotland) and was treated to a day out watching the Celtic first-team train.

CHAS runs two children´s hospices in Scotland – Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch. They provide care for young people who have life-shortening conditions with no known cure, as well as support for their families. The charity will be the main beneficiary from next month´s Celtic Charity Wonderland event.

Abbie´s dad, Allen Boyd, appreciates the work CHAS does for his family and explained to the Celtic website why they deserve this recognition.

‘We go up to Robin House about five or six times a year for some respite care for our daughter,’ he said. ‘The whole family goes up – there are five of us – and we spend some time up there for a weekend.

‘The girls up there look after Abbie for us and that gives us time to spend with our other two kids. It gives us time to do things with them we can´t normally do because of Abbie´s condition.

‘It makes a big difference having someone you can trust to look after Abbie because she has such complex needs.’

Allen´s wife, Lisa, was delighted they were given the opportunity to help raise awareness on behalf of CHAS ahead of Celtic Charity Wonderland and enjoyed their day at the Lennoxtown training complex.

‘We were so excited to be at the training ground today meeting the players and staff and wish everyone involved with the event have a fun evening,’ she said.��

‘I hope that it’s really successful in raising lots of money for CHAS so that families like us can carry on receiving the wonderful care and support that we need so much.’

Debbie Mooney, Fundraising manager for CHAS, explained what difference the support from Celtic will make to them.

‘It will make an incredible difference to us. Over the years Celtic have been with us through our whole journey,’ she said. ‘Being involved in this event won´t just give us financial benefits, which will be well-received, but it will give us exposure and help raise awareness.

‘We couldn’t do it without support from clubs like Celtic. It costs £21,000 a day to run our services, so all of the contributions help us give care and support.

‘We´re also asking every guest coming to the event to bring a gift with them because that will be the gift that keeps on giving.’

Celtic Charity Wonderland is proving popular with the Celtic Family and Diamond places are now sold out. However, we still have limited availability in the Emerald category so don’t delay if you want to secure your place at our festive extravaganza.��

The event, which will be hosted by Scottish actor Martin Compston, will take place in the Kerrydale Suite on the evening of Sunday, December 15 and includes:

– Cruise Catwalk Show Featuring First Team players

– Three-course meal

– Live music and festive DJs

– Wonderland auction – ‘Money Can’t Buy’ items and experiences

– Wall Of Fame – exclusive items from sporting and entertainment greats

– Super-prized raffle

– Pop-up Market – for those last minute Christmas purchases

– Christmas Grotto to support CHAS and local children

Tickets for Celtic Charity Wonderland are available HERE or by calling 0141 551 4262