Celtic FC Foundation hosted its eighth London Sleep Out event on Friday, as more than 20 participants joined us at St Anne’s Church and School in Whitechapel, braving the elements through the night into the early hours of Saturday morning. And, thanks to the funds raised through the event, a host of London-based beneficiaries will be supported this Christmas. As always, 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 provided fantastic hospitality, kindly arranging hot drinks, sandwiches and biscuits for participants. Parish Priest, Father Jose Eduardo, 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 express our thanks to St Anne’s Head Teacher, Louise Nottage, School Premises Manager, Keith Rashid and Father Jose Eduardo V Medeiros 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. Louise Nottage spoke of the importance of the donations received, saying: “St Anne’s shares a long and cherished history with Celtic Football Club and the Foundation and we are honoured to host the Sleep Out on our school grounds every year. “Our school sits in the heart of Tower Hamlets — a wonderfully diverse community, where many families are feeling the ongoing pressures of the rising cost of living. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Foundation and its supporters, we’re able to bring a little extra magic to our children at Christmas, sharing a festive lunch together, enjoying a Christmas pantomime and ensuring that our most vulnerable children receive a special gift. “Your kindness helps us make Christmas a joyful and hope-filled time for every child in our school family and we are deeply grateful for all that you do to make this possible.” Father Jose Eduardo V Medeiros added: “It is with much gratitude and appreciation that we express our thanks for your kind contributions throughout the years, in the name of St. Anne’s. These have made a huge difference in the lives of so many people. “Your help affects individuals and families with children to be able to have easier access to food and better nourishment, warmer clothing and, sometimes, even the possibility of helping them pay for urgent and immediate housing needs such as heating. These needs are mostly visible during the cold months, especially over Christmastime. Your very generous support enables us to bring a great smile of comfort and happiness to their faces. In their name, many thanks with God’s blessings.” 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. Aimee Kinniburgh of the Cardinal Hume Centre expressed her gratitude, saying: “The support from the Foundation has made a real difference to the families we work with, especially at Christmas, which can be a very tough time for many. “Your donations have meant we’ve been able to provide supermarket vouchers to parents, giving them the ability to buy the food and essentials that their children need. Last year, around 500 children and parents had an easier and less stressful festive season thanks to this support. We are incredibly grateful to the Foundation and to Celtic supporters for helping bring comfort and joy to families during the festive season.” Jacqueline Walker of ScotsCare added: “We consider our charity very fortunate to receive donations and continued support from the Foundation. Each year, your support has proven crucial to our most vulnerable clients, at a particularly difficult time of year. “We hugely value the interest and care shown by the Foundation and the supporters who donate, to assist our clients and support the work that we do to help them. The vouchers for food and clothing make a positive impact and help make the festive period more bearable for many.” Paul Anderson of Bow Foodbank also spoke of the importance of the Foundation’s support, saying: “We are currently serving over 400 local families every week. We simply couldn’t do what we do without the generous financial support of Celtic FC Foundation, and many others. “Your kind donations over a number of years have not only provided us with food and other essential supplies for people in east London, it has opened the door for many local people, changing their lives. This just wouldn’t be possible without the Foundation’s donations, helping to keep our doors open and to keep our welcome wide and warm. Thank you so much.” 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. Our Christmas Appeal will touch thousands of lives this festive period and we continue to ask you, the completely unique and unsurpassable Celtic support, to stand with us and help make a positive difference for those who need it most. This is a reminder of the phenomenal difference you made through the 2024 Appeal HERE You can also get behind this year’s Christmas Appeal in the following ways: 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 Purchase our Celtic FC Foundation Scarf HERE Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live HERE Make a donation at check out when purchasing retail items or tickets online HERE and HERE Make a donation and hang an item on our Virtual Christmas Tree HERE Thank you so much for your incredible compassion and generosity, as always – it will help us to continue the mission of Celtic. Together we can share the Spirit of Christmas. *Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard rate message.
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