CELTIC FC Foundation’s annual Ghirls for Good event took place in the Kerrydale Suite on Saturday night. This is always a key element of our annual Christmas Appeal and, this year, it raised a magnificent total of around £20,000.
Sponsored by the Ellen Kane Trust for the second year in a row, the evening proved to be a great success, with almost 400 guests lending their support.
The ghirls were welcomed to Paradise by Celtic Santa and received a drink on arrival, courtesy of the club.
It was a treble for event host, Edward Reid, as he returned for the third consecutive year, by popular demand, and didn’t disappoint as he kick-started the night in style with a fantastic version of Walking in a Celtic Wonderland.
A video piece featuring 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 is making.
A beautiful three-course meal – donated by Campbell Prime Meats, Premier Produce and Bidfood Scotland – was complemented by Mark Gordon’s special brand of magic, a vote of thanks from Celtic FC Foundation’s Head of Fundraising and Events, Jane Maguire, and beautiful performances of This is Me, Grace and the Brendan Rodgers version of Last Christmas by Edward Reid.
Following dinner, guests were treated to a treble from Lennoxtown – Christmas messages direct from captain Scott Brown, Leigh Griffiths and Ryan Christie who thanked the ghirls for their wonderful support and wished them a fantastic night.
Next up was Edward Reid’s stunning live set. He kicked it off with a very unique ‘keepy uppy’ competition for some of the ladies – complete with high heels! The victorious ghirl celebrated with a bottle of champagne.
Edward is one-of-a-kind and his unique and inclusive brand of performance 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 the third year in a row!
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.
The draw was made by birthday ghirl, Angela Quinn of the Ellen Kane Trust and one very lucky ghirl 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 Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers – who was lending her support to the event, along with Paula Woods and Michelle Rodgers.
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.
Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, said: “Year after year, we receive phenomenal support for this event and it’s testament to the dedication and passion of our guests that it’s such a fantastic night that makes an invaluable contribution to the Christmas Appeal.
“I would like to thank our sponsor and Fly High NY donor – the Ellen Kane Trust – who support Celtic FC Foundation on a consistent basis and we are very grateful.
“Thanks also to Edward Reid, Kurt Geiger, Mark Gordon, DJ Paddy, Celtic Santa, the first-team squad, all prize donors, our volunteers Jackie and Helen and every guest 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.
“Together, they have made a massive difference in helping to Make Dreams Come True this Christmas.”
The £20,000 raised at Ghirls for Good will support our 2018 Christmas Appeal which reflects the very essence of why our club was set up back in 1887.
We’re aiming to help local families and pensioners who face poverty and hardship, and a number of charities who care for those experiencing the torment of homelessness or other disadvantage.
Our Ghirls for Good have made a genuine and stunning difference this Christmas.
And there’s still time to help us Make Dreams Come True this Christmas.
To get behind the Christmas Appeal 2018, you can:
1. Donate by Text – text ‘CELT07’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70070
2. Donate Online HERE
3. Donate via Paypal HERE
4. Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores
5. Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow, G40 3RE.
6. Give As You Live via your Christmas Shopping HERE
7. Support our matchday bucket collection on Saturday, December 8 HERE
8. Take part in our Light up the Clover event on Thursday, December 13 HERE
9. Download Toy Tin Soldier’s charity single ‘A Club Where All Belong’ HERE
10. Make a donation to receive your ‘Celtic FC Foundation Letter from Santa’ HERE
11. Contribute via our Christmas Appeal eBay Auction, of which all proceeds will be donated to the Appeal – this will be live 6-11 December so please look out for details coming soon!
Thank you for making a difference.
