Celtic FC Foundation are delighted to confirm that our 2024 Christmas Appeal has been our most successful to date, raising and distributing an astonishing total of £412,000. This year, we once again faced a winter period in which the cost of living crisis continues to negatively impact so many. Sadly, this has seen the demand and need for our support reach an even greater level than ever before this Christmas, with so many families and individuals facing hardship in their lives. Once again, our Appeal was part of a joint campaign with the Football Club, as we encouraged supporters to ‘Make Christmas Magic’ this festive season. In a time when so many continue to face personal financial challenges, yet again, the response we have received for the Appeal has been truly remarkable, inspiring and deeply humbling. As always, the Celtic Family has stepped up and generously made a huge difference to the lives of others. We simply could not have achieved this incredible outcome without the magnificent generosity of so many people including worldwide Celtic supporters, the Club and its staff, both Men’s and Women’s football departments, Directors, Trustees, partners, sponsors and funders. Monies raised have now been distributed, to ensure that your efforts will make a genuine difference to those in need, ahead of Christmas Eve. In summary, together, we have contributed: £198,000: Glasgow and the West families with children £16,000: Irish Women’s Aid families £5,000: Gifts/Festive outings/Parties for Glasgow children £39,000: Local OAPs and other vulnerable individuals £84,000: Children/Families charity beneficiaries £14,000: Women’s Aid charity beneficiaries £38,000: Homeless charity beneficiaries £18,000: Refugee charity beneficiaries For the second year in a row, we will host a very special Paradise Pit Stop session on Christmas Day, as the Kerrydale Suite will open its doors between 12noon and 2pm and we will welcome around 350 guests for a three-course Christmas dinner, entertainment and a visit from Santa! As well as an outstanding level of direct donations received, we held a number of key fundraising initiatives as part of the Appeal, including: Walfrid’s Wishlist, courtesy of the Club – duration of Appeal Founding Fathers’ Fast – Wednesday, November 6 Virtual Christmas Tree – Thursday, November 7 – present Celtic Sleep Out, Wicklow – Friday, November 15 Celtic Sleep Out, Glasgow – Saturday, November 16 Prize Draw – November 20 – December 20 Ghirls for Good – Friday, November 29 New Foundation T-Shirt – Thursday, December 5 – present Matchday Bucket Collection – Saturday, December 7 The Santa Stroll – Sunday, December 8 Christmas Appeal Shirt Auction – Monday, December 9 – Monday, December 16 Celtic Sleep Out, London – Friday, December 13 Signed Love Unites Shirts – Thursday, December 19 – present Your magnificent support has allowed us to assist a total of 1,068 families facing poverty and hardship, helping them to enjoy the kind of Christmas that everyone deserves, with food on the table and gifts under the tree. We also helped 938 vulnerable local pensioners and other individuals across Glasgow and the West and Edinburgh, through the provision of Christmas vouchers and meals. We supported 725 Glasgow children directly – 205 attended a P5 Christmas party at Celtic Park, 120 received either a special Christmas gift or a fun festive outing and a further 400 were provided with brand new toys and gifts, kindly donated by the guests at our Ghirls for Good event and distributed by a host of beneficiary organisations. We also hosted a festive lunch for around 120 of our friends from Simon Community Scotland in the Kerrydale Suite. In addition, donations have been made to 38 grassroots organisations who support children, women and children in refuge, the homeless community and refugees, primarily in Glasgow and the West, but also in wider Scotland, Dublin, Wicklow, Belfast, London, wider England and Ottawa. With your outstanding generosity, we have been able to ‘Make Christmas Magic’ for so many who needed our support. Thank you. A more detailed overview of the 2024 Christmas Appeal can be found HERE. Tony Hamilton, Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, said: “To come together and be able to exceed £400,000 for the first time is a credit to everyone who supported this year’s Appeal, and once again demonstrates the uniqueness of this Football Club. “Making such a meaningful difference to so many people in our communities never happens by chance. A heartfelt thanks must go to the Celtic supporters across the world, our partners, private donors, sponsors and funders – many of whom have various priorities – for collectively making the 2024 Appeal such a success. “Thank you also to all of our Club and Foundation colleagues for finding space and energy to contribute to this, at a time when there are so many demands for resource. “Many children, families and vulnerable people will now benefit from Celtic FC Foundation’s annual Appeal, and I hope that everyone has a very happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2025.” Celtic FC Chief Executive, Michael Nicholson, added: “We’re absolutely delighted that another record amount has been raised and distributed through Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal. “The Appeal reflects the true essence of why this Club was formed 137 years ago and we are extremely proud that the Foundation’s work continues to be at the forefront of what we do here. It is wonderful to see such an incredible amount raised and the impact of this will be far reaching within our communities, for those who need our help most this Christmas. “On behalf of the Club, I would like to thank all those involved and to everyone who has contributed – all of our supporters, colleagues, Foundation and Club staff, Football Management and players. Thank you for your magnificent support and all the very best to you and your families this Christmas.”
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