CELTIC have today released a statement confirming that nearly £300k will be dedicated to the club’s Football for Good fund, designed at helping communities affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Whilst some clubs will make statements in their own self-interest, Celtic have shown their class by trying to help those in society that will be most adversely affected by the crisis.
Peter Lawwell, Celtic’s CEO, discussed how vital the club’s work was in supporting the community and helping carry on Brother Walfrid’s legacy.
“Everyone at Celtic Football Club and Celtic FC Foundation is aware of how the COVID-19 crisis is impacting on our communities. Therefore, it is vital that we continue to support the most vulnerable in our society during this period.
“The Football for Good Fund will provide a lifeline for so many, at an extremely difficult time, once again honouring the great charitable ambitions of the club’s founders.”
The statement continued and outlined the clubs plans to spend the money by continuing to support organisations supporting the vulnerable as well as the NHS.
“Our priority during this time remains to put food on the table, as well as to distribute urgent essentials to those most in need. Through our first phase of action, we have been working with a variety of partner charities providing urgent food and essentials to those in our communities who are in greatest need.
“These include providing funds to around 35 organisations supporting vulnerable children, families and the homeless, such as Glasgow’s Golden Generation (for the elderly), FARE Scotland, Spirit Aid, The Salvation Army, Action for Children, Help the Homeless, The Wayside Club, and Birth, Baby and Beyond.
“We have also set up a free self-referral service providing food parcels to vulnerable people in Glasgow alongside our partner Glasgow North-East Foodbank.
Separately, our support of people in those vulnerable categories has also extended to additional locations in Scotland, England and Ireland, including Greenock, Oban, Edinburgh, London, Newcastle, Dublin and Belfast. Our international commitment remains at the forefront and we are looking to provide assistance where possible in New York and further afield.
“Crucially, we are also working alongside NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Cathedral House to help support frontline NHS staff across all roles and wards every day.”
The work of the club and the foundation is to be applauded, they endeavour to emulate and follow the foundations upon which Celtic was created.
Celtic’s commitment is the largest in Scottish football and the altruism is to be admired at this time. Whilst other teams issue statements in self interest demanding investigations and concessions to be made for them under the facade of sporting integrity, Celtic are carrying on with dignity and decorum. Something that other teams could learn a lot from.
INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr
The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.
If you have been reading Matt’s regular contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme or in the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.
Support Celtic Youth Development
Help raise money for Celtic Youth Development by joining the £1 weekly lottery and you could win up to £25,000 – just click the photograph below to join. Lots of our readers have already done so and they’re now doing their bit to help fund Celtic Youth Development that can deliver the stars of tomorrow and beyond. And you might even win a few bob too! And a special thank you to all The Celtic Star readers who have already signed up and are now supporting youth development to give us the Celtic Stars of the future…
