With Sleep Out events having already taken place in Wicklow and Glasgow last month, Celtic FC Foundation rounded off the hat-trick on Friday night, as we returned to St Anne’s Primary School in Whitechapel for the Celtic Sleep Out, London. As always, supporters turned out in their numbers, as there was representation from a host of individuals, as well as a number of CSCs from in and around the London area. Participants arrived at 8.00pm and were welcomed into St Anne’s Church by the parish community, who once again showed us wonderful hospitality by kindly arranging hot drinks, sandwiches and biscuits for participants. Parish Priest, Father Patrick Francischini, then offered a word of thanks, before providing a beautiful blessing ahead of the challenge. Following a vote of thanks and briefing session by Foundation staff, the group then made their way to the grounds of St Anne’s Primary School – where Brother Walfrid was Head Teacher following his time at Celtic – to begin the long, cold night ahead. We would like to once again express our thanks to Head Teacher, Louise Nottage and School Premises Manager, Keith Rashid of St Anne’s Primary and to Father Patrick Francischini and Father Jose Eduardo V Medeiros of St Anne’s Church, for their magnificent continued support of the event. Our Sleep Out hosts – St Anne’s Primary School and Church – will be among the organisations who will benefit thanks to funds raised.Head Teacher, Louise Nottage spoke of the support received, saying: “We are really proud and privileged at St Anne’s to host the Foundation for their annual Sleep Out. “We know about the connection between the school and the parish here, with the founder of the Club, so it’s really nice that the Foundation can return here each year. “Support received allows us to treat the children with Christmas gifts, a Christmas lunch and a pantomime. “Some of our families are deprived and don’t get to celebrate Christmas like most of us but thanks to the support from the Foundation, we’re able to spread a little joy and we’re extremely grateful for that.” St Anne’s Church and School are just two of the beneficiaries of the funds raised from the event. Other London-based charities include the Cardinal Hume Centre, ScotsCare, Whitechapel Mission, Bow Foodbank and the London Irish Centre, while a host of other organisations across Scotland, England and Ireland will receive vital support. Georgia Yale of the Cardinal Hume Centre spoke of her gratitude for the support received, saying: “For many of us, Christmas is a time for joy and celebration with loved ones. “Yet for 3,800 homeless children from Westminster, they will celebrate Christmas living in temporary accommodation. For too many, this means a hotel room, far from the warmth and joy of a true celebration. “At the Centre, we want to ensure that everyone has the essentials they need this winter and offer opportunities to celebrate away from stress and fear. We cannot express enough gratitude to Celtic FC Foundation and its supporters. ‘Your generosity not only helps meet urgent needs but also spreads hope and joy to those who might otherwise go without. Thank you for making a real difference in the lives of so many.’ Jacqueline Walker of ScotsCare added: “The winter period is particularly difficult for our clients, whether they are experiencing homelessness and having to cope with the challenge of finding ways to handle the worsening weather. “We also have families who are living in poverty and cannot afford suitable clothing or increased heating costs for the home. Christmas tends to cause additional stress for those already struggling with inadequate food and ways of keeping warm and dry. “The funding we receive is invaluable to our clients at this time of year. Every year the cost of food, energy and clothing increases, meaning the hardship for our clients also increases. We are very grateful for the continued support of Celtic FC Foundation, thank you.” We would like to thank all of our Sleep Out participants for their outstanding efforts in support of this year’s Christmas Appeal, as well as everyone who has sponsored them and provided assistance along the way. Through our 2024 Christmas Appeal, we hope to assist local families facing poverty, so they can enjoy the type of Christmas that many of us take for granted. As well as pensioners, women and children in refuge, the homeless community, refugees, and a host of others who would otherwise struggle over the festive period. Together we can ‘Make Christmas Magic’. To get behind this year’s Christmas Appeal, you can: Donate online HERE Donate via PayPal HERE Donate via Facebook HERE Donate by text – text ‘CELTIC’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70085* 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 Provide support through your Christmas shopping in Celtic stores or online by purchasing an item from ‘Walfrid’s Wishlist’ HERE or by simply making a donation at check-out when shopping online Purchase our new Foundation Stained Glass T-Shirt HERE Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live HERE Make a donation and hang an item on our Virtual Christmas Tree HERE Enter our Christmas Appeal Prize Draw HERE Thank you for your magnificent support. *Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard rate message
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