Last night (Friday) saw the first of three Celtic Sleep Out events take place this festive season, as 24 participants joined our initiative in Bray, County Wicklow. The event was our fourth consecutive Sleep Out in Ireland, following the success of previous events in Sligo, Donegal and Derry. The group was a mix of individual supporters and representatives from CSCs across the country including Fr. Murphy Arklow CSC, Lewis Capaldi Cork CSC, Lisbon Lions Bray CSC and Wicklow Emerald CSC. Collectively, participants are on course to raise a fantastic net total in the region of €13K for our 2024 Christmas Appeal. However, fundraising is ongoing and there’s still time to support the Wicklow Sleep Out team by making a donation HERE. The event took place at the Carlisle Grounds, home of Bray Wanderers FC, which has been a focal point for local football since 1922. The evening began with a short welcome and briefing from the Foundation team before the Sleep Out officially kicked off at 9.00pm, on what was an unusually mild November night on the east coast of Ireland. Spirits were high among the group, as they headed out into the main stand for the obligatory group photo, before setting up for the night ahead. We were delighted to be joined by Tommy Gordon of W.H. Five Loaves, an organisation which provides food and essentials for the local homeless community and one of the beneficiaries of the proceeds raised. Tommy kindly brought along soup and sandwiches for the participants and highlighted the impact that their support will make, saying: “Homelessness is a major challenge for us here in Wicklow. The winter period is extremely difficult for those living on the streets and we are very reliant on the generosity of others to allow us to help, so the support received from the Foundation is very much needed. Thank you to everyone who has contributed, you are making a big difference to the lives of those most in need.” We were also joined once again by award-winning country and folk music artist Sina Theil, who has now completed four Irish Sleep Outs in-a-row. Just as she had done at our Sligo, Donegal and Derry events, Sina brought along her guitar and entertained fellow participants with an array of Celtic favourites, as well as a few of her own original songs. Chat of favourite Celtic players and moments over the years kept the group going right through until 5.00am, when a long night eventually came to a close. We offer special thanks to everyone at Bray Wanderers Football Club, the wonderful Celtic Supporters’ Clubs involved and our friends at The Association of Irish Celtic Supporters’ Clubs, whose unwavering generosity, advice and assistance have been instrumental in the organisation of the event. And, of course, we thank all of our Sleep Out participants for their incredible efforts, and also all of those who very kindly supported them. The net proceeds from this event will play a vital role in helping to deliver this year’s Christmas Appeal. Every penny raised last night will be devoted to supporting those who need it most within a number of communities in Ireland, not only through W.H Five Loaves but also via donations to Women’s Aid Dublin, Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn and Arklow Community Action Resource Centre. Each of these organisations play a vital role in supporting those who face an extremely challenging time over the festive period. Eavan Ward of Women’s Aid Dublin spoke of the difficulties faced by many of the women and children they support, saying: “December and Christmas are a very tough time for women and often the abuse they are suffering is more frequent and more severe. Women disclose to us that they have been assaulted, hospitalised and degraded. Just because it is the festive season, it doesn’t mean that physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse goes away. There is also additional hardship for families experiencing domestic abuse because of economic abuse. As a result, women are under severe financial pressure. Last Christmas, thanks to the amazing generosity of the supporters of Celtic FC Foundation, we were able to give women vouchers to be able to buy food, clothes, footwear and toys for their children. We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helps us support families in Dublin, it makes such a difference.” Liz Johnston of Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn shared her gratitude for the continued support received, saying: “The backing of Celtic FC Foundation over the past few years has been invaluable for Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn. Your generosity has ensured that vulnerable women have heating, food and gifts for their children. There is an epidemic of domestic violence here and when we give women their gifts from the Foundation, they cannot believe that someone they have never met can be interested in their plight. I have witnessed women burst into tears, so thankful that someone else can actually care about them and be so generous.” Sheila Busher of Arklow Community Action Resource Centre added: “I would like to say a big thank you to the Foundation and all the Celtic supporters for putting themselves out there for the good of others. This will help so many families struggling in and around our community. “With the high cost of living, people are finding it so hard to buy the basic things like food and clothes. The bills and rents come first for most. So thank you once again for choosing us as one of the beneficiaries of your efforts.” Through this year’s 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. Our Glasgow Sleep Out will take place at Celtic Park this evening and we wish participants all the very best of luck. The last of our trio of Sleep Out events will take place in London on Friday, December 13 and there’s still time to register and take part HERE. To get behind this year’s Christmas Appeal, you can also: 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 Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live HERE Make a donation and hang an item on our Virtual Christmas TreeHERE Enter our Christmas Appeal Prize Draw, which will kick-off on Wednesday, November 20 – further details to follow. Come along to the Ghirls for Good event on Friday, November 29 HERE Support our Christmas Appeal Bucket Collection on Saturday, December 7– register as a volunteer collectorHERE Sign up for the Santa Stroll 1 Mile or 5K on Sunday, December 8 HERE Contribute via our Christmas Appeal Logo Shirt Auction from December 9 -16 – further details to follow Thank you for your magnificent support. *Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard rate message.
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