CELTIC FC Foundation’s annual Ghirls for Good event took place in the Kerrydale Suite on Saturday night.
This was a key event within our 2017 Christmas Appeal and it raised a phenomenal total of around £21,000.
Sponsored by the Ellen Kane Trust, the evening proved to be a great success, with around 420 Ghirls lending their support.
Following a warm welcome by Celtic Santa and his elves and a drink on arrival courtesy of Eden Mill, the Ghirls were introduced to our host for the evening – back by popular demand – Edward Reid, who kicked off the proceedings in style as he belted out Jess Glynne’s ‘Hold My Hand’.
A video piece featuring Brendan Rodgers and some of the first-team squad provided an overview of this year’s Christmas Appeal and confirmed to the Ghirls just what a difference their support will make.
A beautiful three-course meal – donated by Campbell Prime Meats, Premier Produce and Bidvest Scotland – was further enhanced with Mark Gordon’s special brand of magic and a stunning performance of ‘Grace’ by our host, which went down a storm with the ladies.
Following dinner, guests were treated to Christmas messages direct from Celtic’s training centre at Lennoxtown.
Captain Scott Brown, Leigh Griffiths, James Forrest and Nir Bitton thanked the Ghirls for their wonderful support and wished them a fantastic night.
Next up was Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, with a vote of thanks for the wonderful support of everyone involved with the event.
The Ghirls were then treated to an outstanding live set from Edward Reid. He kicked it off with a ‘Ghirl Band’ slot where five volunteers took part in a lip sync battle to win a pair of tickets to see Sam Smith in concert. They certainly went for it!
Edward’s special and infectious brand of performing ensured the dance floor was packed throughout.
Thanks to an incredible donation from event sponsor, the Ellen Kane Trust, the Fly High NY Draw was back on the Ghirls for Good programme!
For just a £10 entry fee, guests had the opportunity to win a quite outstanding prize – A stunning package for two people to New York City including return flights from Glasgow and three nights’ accommodation in a double or twin room at the Radisson Martinique Hotel Broadway.
One lucky Ghirl from the Enchanted Forest Nurseries table went home with a Christmas gift like no other!
The evening also included festive DJ Paddy, Christmas stalls and a Free Prize Draw featuring a plethora of outstanding prizes. Assisting Edward to draw the winning tickets was Charlotte Rodgers – wife of Brendan Rodgers – who was lending her support to the event along with Danni Davies, Janie Kennedy, Paula Woods and Mary Driscoll.
We also asked each gorgeous Ghirl to bring along a gift for a local child and were overwhelmed and humbled by the response. These will now be distributed to those who are sick or disadvantaged before the sleigh bells ring on Christmas Eve. The beneficiary organisations include Children in Care in Edinburgh and Fife, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Glasgow East Women’s Aid, Glasgow North East Social Work, Glasgow Women’s Aid, Kids Out, Loaves & Fishes, Salvation Army Parkhead, Scottish Refugee Council, Simon Community Scotland and Spirit Aid.
Ghirls for Good was a fun and festive heart-warming occasion, celebrating all that is wonderful about the Celtic Family.
Tony Hamilton said: “The turnout this year was absolutely outstanding and it’s all credit to the Ghirls that we sold out weeks before the event. Their support of our Christmas Appeal is invaluable and, having witnessed the proceedings, I think it’s safe to say they enjoyed their night!
“I would like to thank our sponsor and Fly High NY donor – the Ellen Kane Trust – Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic squad, Edward Reid, Eden Mill, Kurt Geiger, Mark Gordon, DJ Paddy, Celtic Santa and his elves, all donors, our volunteers Jackie and Helen and every Ghirl who attended the event for the part they played in its success. Thanks also to our food donors and the Catering Department at the club for delivering a fantastic menu and service as always.
“Collectively, they have helped us Share the Spirit of Celtic this Christmas.”
The £21,000 raised at Ghirls for Good will support our 2017 Christmas Appeal which reflects the very essence of why our club was set up back in 1887.
We want to help around 300 local families facing poverty, to provide a meal on the table and gifts for the kids. We want to bring the magic of Christmas to those homes. We are also looking to help vulnerable local pensioners to ease the financial burden at a challenging time of year, plus a number of other local charities who support those experiencing homelessness or other disadvantage.
Our Ghirls for Good have made a genuine and stunning difference this Christmas.
And there’s still time to get behind the Appeal. You can:
Donate by Text – text ‘CELT07’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70070
Donate Online – www.celticfcfoundation.com
Donate via Paypal – www.celticfcfoundation.com
Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores
Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow, G40 3RE.
Give as you Live via your Christmas Shopping – http://www.celticfc.net/news/13512
Take part in our new Light up the Clover event on Wednesday, December 13 – http://www.celticfc.net/news/13599
Download Kevin Miles’ single ‘Celtic, My Heart and My Soul’- http://www.celticfc.net/news/13494
Thank you for your wonderful support.
