The fact that the Wee Oscar 4 Life campaign inspired hundreds from the Celtic community to raise money for the treatment of Oscar Knox will surprise no one, but the stunning amount of money raised by the bucket collection outside Celtic Park on Saturday, £31,918.05, is breathtaking.
I know those who decided something had to be done to help Oscar have no interest in our congratulations or respect, but they have it nonetheless. Well done to all who helped on Saturday and to those behind the campaign. You are a credit to our community. Again.
The team released the following statement:
At last Saturday’s Celtic game against Dundee at Celtic Park over 200 volunteers collected money on behalf of the ‘Wee Oscar 4 Life’ campaign as part of the Oscar Knox Appeal. Wee Oscar’s Green Bucket Army raised an astonishing £31,918.05 in just two hours between 13.00 pm and 3.00pm before the Scottish Premier League game.
This campaign was launched by supporters of Celtic Football Club (the Celtic family) to raise money for Oscar Knox, a four year old boy who has recently been diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma- a rare form of cancer which mainly affects children. All funds raised on the day through the bucket collection will go directly towards helping to fund immunotherapy treatment abroad for Wee Oscar to help him beat cancer for good.
On the day, the campaign team and family were also joined by four supporters of Rangers and one supporter of Hearts. Oscar’s dad Stephen flew over from Northern Ireland and he also brought along some of Oscar’s family. Also taking part were the partners of Celtic players, Lisa Hague (Partner of Kris Commons), Alana Roe (Girlfriend of Charlie Mulgrew) and Debbie Lawlor (Girlfriend of Tony Stokes). Lisa Hague has just been appointed Patron of the Wee Oscar 4 Life campaign and commented on the day: “It was fantastic to take part and get involved on Saturday. I was overwhelmed to be asked and amazed at the support offered by the fans. I jumped at the chance to be Patron, even though I am 7 months pregnant, because this charity really stood out to me, not only because of wee Oscar but the level of support from Celtic fans. I’m determined to do as much as I can to get wee Oscar the treatment that he so desperately needs”.
Oscar’s family are from Belfast and Stephen Knox commented: “We are totally blown away with what happened on Saturday, I flew over myself with a couple of friends and I am so pleased that I witnessed the generosity of the fans first hand. In particular I want to thank the entire Wee Oscar 4 Life team who led this campaign and made it happen. I would also like to thank each of the 200 strong bucket volunteers who are playing a huge part in helping to save our little boy’s life.”
Oscar is fighting stage 4 neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer which affects 1 in every 100,000 children. He is currently responding very well to treatment but unfortunately neuroblastoma has a very high relapse rate and so to give him the best chance of survival he needs immunotherapy. This helps to stimulate the immune system, so that if the neuroblastoma was to return, his own body can recognise and attack it. The treatment is not currently available to Oscar in the UK and so the family needs to take him abroad to get it. The treatment is likely to cost up to £250,000. Sadly Oscar was also born with Jacobsen Syndrome, an extremely rare chromosome disorder. There are little over 250 confirmed cases in the world, and as far as we are aware, Oscar is the only child in the world ever to have Jacobsen Syndrome and then be diagnosed with neuroblastoma. The odds of this are about TEN BILLION TO ONE.
Future planned events include:
Wee Oscar 4 Life Celtic Quiz Night
This will be held on Saturday 29th September in The Phoenix Bar (X Eastenders Bar) Gallowgate Glasgow from 19.00 pm onwards. Tickets cost £5 (over 18’s only). Teams will comprise of 4 or 5 players but the organisers are happy to take individual bookings and for these people to be placed in a team.
To book tickets for this event, please email weeoscar4life@gmail.com quoting ‘Quiz’ in the subject field.
Wee Oscar 4 Life Race and Auction Evening
This event will be held on the Saturday 17th November in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park from 19.00 onwards. Tickets cost £5 (over 18’s only). To book tickets for this event please email weeoscar4life@gmail.com quoting ‘Race’ in the subject field.
Glasgow to Belfast Cycle Ride
Wee Oscar 4 Life organisers are planning a cycle from Glasgow to Belfast for St Patrick’s weekend in March 2013 and will be looking for cyclist to take part in this event. Interested parties should email weeoscar4life@gmail.com quoting ‘Cycle’ in the subject field and the organisers will get back to you with more details.
For more information please contact the Wee Oscar 4 Life campaign team by emailing WeeOscar4Life@gmail.com.
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TET – Buenas from Toronto; hows the pool????
slainte
tony
Tim Malone Will Tell, 22:01
Salmond, like any smart politician, knows when to change horses and the incredible clamour that went up from all clubs’ fans when it looked like they were to be parachuted into the SPL won’t have gone unheard.
I agree the whole thing has been dragged out – and only for the benefit of one player in this. But the fact is that we are going to arrive at the end of the line in the not too distant future, despite all the zombie flesh slowing us down.
I agree, there is a story in the who, when and what of the ‘deal’. Doncaster has been contacted already, I know for a fact. What he and Regan have to say over the next couple of days should be interesting
THE EXILED TIM
Like you the demise of the SFA is my wish but the slowness of the process so far makes me wary
HH
Torontony
Missed you at the club on the weekend, but had a nice chat with you pal.
We assumed you were out golfing instead.
that should be ‘your pal’ …. I wasn’t sitting in the corner chatting to no one.
sorry that should have said
the slowness of the process so far makes me wary that it will ever happen.
HH
Thomthethim,Italia bhoy, thanks for reply , on a happier note this debacle has brought me and my friends in Celtic closer than ever…HH
Torontony
It’s good, wasn’t in today, had unexpected visitors, no consideration some folks :>)
Getting cooler at night now, so the temp has dropped a bit, should still be having a dip until early/mid Nov.
Looking forward to the cooler weather, been relentless this summer, also no rain since May apart from a couple of short lived thunder storms.
Much easier to keep the vino at the right temp as well, it really disny like the heat.
Been stocking up during the summer, get lots of bargins as they don’t sell as much.
Also the golf is much more plesant.
Its been a long day for me bhoys/ghirls so Goodnight all and sleep well in the knowledge we are all part of the best football family on the planet IMO
HH
thomthetim – watch you don’t get a nosebleed up there on that high horse!!
T4
For anyone who has not seen John Gahagan
after dinner speaker,
make sure you do.
gordon64
Were you at the vogue doo last night – how did it go
hen1rik
22:05 on
24 September, 2012
Orange Order say Ulster Scots should have a vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum.More on Stormont Today 11.20 BBC2
————–
If that’s the case then surely as the Scots originated in Ireland then all the people living in the 32 counties should also be permitted to vote.
THE EXILED TIM
22:10 on 24 September, 2012
petec
I have always believed that our goal is to get out, whatever way that is.
Things take time, I thought we would be closer than we are, but I, like everyone else don’t know what is going on behind the scenes, but assured moves are afoot.
Football in scotland is finished, nothing to do with the hun demise, but in a way their demise has helped speed up the process.
The main thing I am hoping for is the demise of the sfa.
Green has said in a roundabout way that if they go, they will bring down the sfa.
If the sfa punish them, people will sing.
That will do for me.
I just want it yesterday, a habit I have picked up from the wife :>)
_________________________________________________________
It is my opinion we are in very good hands and we have a Board that has a LOT more vision than most. We have still to see it come to fruition but the evidence is there that we are in a very good position, when you consider what we have had to put up with.
Can we get the £100Million stolen from us back?
dena29
The wheels of justice sometimes go so feckin slow that it looks like they are motionless.
Seems to me that everyone is waiting for the FTT to give their verdict, if they are found guilty again, all hell will break loose.
Are we going to have many more Valentine’s days ? who knows, I can but dream.
CK
A superb night.
The new Vogue CSC banner was unveiled.
Was Mr Cowan funny ?
With the amount of tax payers money that was squandered propping up a corrupt football club, there has to be a public enquiry. I won’t hold my breath, but we should push for it anyway.
T4
petec
Not a hope of getting anything back.
Will be interesting to see what the other clubs might do though, some might not be so accomadating.
There is nothing barring foriegn clubs taking the sfa or the huns to court, via uefa, for lost revenue.
ht – thought it was only the Gaels who originated in Ireland?!
T4
wonkyradar
19:13 on 24 September, 2012.
The Huns are going rabid on RM:………………….
____________________________________________________________
Loyalist 1690 Graham
…………………………..
…..We, the Rangers family are the victims in this story, in our own country, being tried without proper process. If we don’t stand up for ourselves now,then we will never regain our rights ever again. Who knows they might take our marching away from us. They might stop us wearing our fathers sash. They might tear down our churches. They might crush our flutes. They might ban Royal Blue from being worn like they did with the Highlanders with their tartan. They might stop us singing GSTQ just like they did with the Billy Boys. I, for one, will NEVER accept that day!
_____________________________________________
Thank you, Wonkyradar.
Thank you, Loyalist 1690 Graham.
At a time which just continues to entertain, Graham’s contribution is the icing on the cake.
What a delusional PLONKER.
I would love to ask Graham who it was who banned the Highlanders from wearing the tartan.
He probably thinks it was those cruel KAFFLIKS.
Thanks again Graham.
If you did not exist, we would have to make you up.
TTTT
No mate the tribes people who came to be known as the Scots originally lived in Ireland.
THE EXILED TIM
How p**sed off would your company be if they had been cheated out of that amount?
There is no doubt Sevco/Zombies whatever you want to call them are finished. If Celtic have to take such a massive financial hit then so be it but they will make sure that the Scum are never in a position again to inflict that sort of damage.
petec
22:00 on
24 September, 2012
I honestly believe the SFA / SPL are beginning to see the zombies for what they really were…. won’t be long now before the FF brigade get a wee taste of reality ….. you reap what you sow …ll
petec
I don’t think there is anything stopping individual shareholders taking them to court.
There must be a shareholder or 2 out there who would be willing to give their time for free.
That might just be the way ahead……
CK
Might not be popular but Tam Cowan was very funny.
Respect to the guy.
Confused……..
SFA are tweeting that the content of the banner isn’t ‘specifically’ the problem, it’s the fact that it was displayed a second time!!!
Eh???
HT
They are just digging the hole a wee bit deeper :>)
HT
Please don’t waste time even commenting
on that nonsense.
Any organisation that develops a policy by Twitter is asking for trouble.
What an uplifting piece of news – £31K, just astonishing. So proud and moved by this wonderful generosity and the efforts of all involved. I wish wee Oscar and his family all the very best. God bless you all.
Hamiltontim
22:49 on 24 September, 2012
Confused……..
SFA are tweeting that the content of the banner isn’t ‘specifically’ the problem, it’s the fact that it was displayed a second time!!!
Eh???
____________________________________
Sounds like Broadfoot is up to something.
It’s nearly tomorrow, so I will bid you all a good night, work in the morning.
Take care and god bless Timland.
HH
jtsTICks – Good to see you back on thye blog – hope all is well.
Early this morning, I got sick on the way into work. I looked out of the bus window, and I saw the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. There was a guy in the middle of Argyle Street, kneeling in a pool of blood, eating a human being. I have no way of knowing whether the victim was male or female; all I saw was an arm being held up and chewed on, teeth pulling flesh from it like you or I would eat something from a box of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
I vomited. A girl in front of me screamed. The creature barely noticed. It got on with eating, and people in the street ran past.
This is what it’s like around here. They’re coming out more and more during the day now, and not a soul can do anything to stop it. The infestation is spreading. Parts of this city are no-go areas at night, especially those near graveyards. I would leave, but without the cash to set up elsewhere where am I going to go? The money, I’ll have that soon. One big job and it’s done. I am sure of it. Until then, I’m staying in Glasgow.
There are places to go, if I wanted to, but they are so bad they make staying here sound positively charming. Edinburgh is over-run, so they say. The people out there are much more inclined to follow the rules than we are. Here, the vigilantes sometimes do go out and do the business; there are stories about roving bands of them out in Govan, which they now call The Wild, Wild West. There is supposed to be a band of crazy survivalist types in the Garngad, and some scattered resistance in the South Side. Some parts of the East End are relatively trouble free. Others …
Over the border, where there are no rules, and they shoot these two legged freaks on sight, there is some order being restored, so that’s a good place to flee when you have the cash. Without money – and they are strict on this score, you better believe it – you’re looking at being a refugee, and to Hell with that. Not in this lifetime.
There are sixty thousand people in the nearest refugee camp over the border. Sixty thousand. Sod living like that, in tent city, with no money, no food, nothing, except what their right wing crazy government down there can be bothered sending in humanitarian aid. Some say if this country hadn’t gone independent they’d have treated us as neighbours, reinforced the border and opened their doors wide. Maybe. I’m not so sure, and it’s not an issue now.
Lesson for the future, all you American’s in the Deep South, especially you crazy Republicans who tried to secede from the Union after Obama’s second term, when Martin O’Malley won the Democratic nomination and started talking seriously about “re-drawing the lines of opportunity”, please take note; as part of the union you have friends in a crisis. Outside of it, good buddies, you are on your own.
There’s a more compelling reason for me staying for now and it’s this; this is home, and a bunch of blood sucking, flesh eating monsters won’t change that. If only I believed someone was in charge. All it’s going to take is a change in the law, and we can start to send these creatures back to the Hell in which they belong. Of course, had the law not been changed in the first place – offering these evil creatures a protection they don’t enjoy anywhere else in the world – we might already have sent them homeward to think again, as the saying goes.
For the moment, Scotland remains the only country in the world where the zombie infestation can’t be tackled by direct action. Shooting them is legal only if your life is at stake, and I mean in a kill-or-be-killed situation, and one that will stand up in court. People have been convicted for doing otherwise, and those the Norwich Laws haven’t sent to prison they’ve probably killed instead. I cannot imagine how many poor sods have been eaten because they weren’t sure what constituted a life or death situation. It wouldn’t be me. I have a .45, which I take everywhere with me, and if I am walking the streets and I encounter one of these things I am going to blow its head clean off, and authorities (what authorities?) be damned.
That’s the problem, see. Although the courts are still running, the police is still (barely) functioning, and the big companies are still insisting on keeping the machines going and the goods flowing, there isn’t a government here to change the law now. Every now and again we hear some news from London (there was talk, last week, that the English army might be readying itself to invade, but were stopped because they lack a clear UN mandate) or from overseas, but that’s about it. There’s been nothing from Holyrood since a marauding pack of flesh eaters crashed a full session of our esteemed Parliament during the emergency powers debate and lunched on the entire upper echelon of our political class. The First Minister was last seen running down Princes Street, bare assed, in his socks and the top half of a good suit. They say he was hiding in the bathroom when the security cordon broke, and was one of the few who didn’t get eaten in the Main Chamber.
Good riddance to the lot of them, said some at the time. No-one usually cries over dead politicians … but there was a sting in this tale. The old laws were still left in place, and without a legitimate government no-one can change them.
It was, as they say, FUBAR. It still is.
I’m sitting here right now with all the lights down, and the curtains drawn, writing this by candlelight, in an old John Menzies notebook I found in a plastic box in the garage. There are a bunch of creatures outside in the street, walking up and down. The police have been past a few times; I’m not sure if it’s to make sure they aren’t messing with anyone, or to make sure no-one is messing with them. It’s a crazy time and a crazy place.
When did all this start? If you mean the zombie infestation, you have to go back about six months for that, when the first stories starting coming out of Asia about a brand new virus which turned people’s brains to mush. Or, at least, that’s what people thought it did, because the early “victims” were found wandering around in a daze, all intelligence gone at a stroke, slobbering, hungry, permanently raging. Heck, I recognised the symptoms straight away; we’ve had people like that wandering Scotland for over 100 years.
But these weren’t people. Or at least they weren’t live people. Something happened over there – and to this day no-one knows what it was – and it spread around the globe faster than anyone could stop it. Yet in every civilised country, the army and the police had things under control pretty damned quickly. The zombies were too few in number, rising only a few at a time, in an order no-one has yet figured out, and in the end there were teams of soldiers at the graveyards popping rounds into them as they came out of the ground. Yes, there were occasional outbreaks – and there still are, all around the globe – but they were isolated, dealt with rapidly.
Except here. To suss that one you have to go back to 2012, when a banner at a Celtic – Norwich City football match, depicting a zombie being shot (the zombie represented an old football club we used to have – Rangers; you really have to live here to get it) caused something of a flap. “Depictions of violence” were suddenly being treated like acts of violence, and no-one seemed to care that the violence in question was only a joke, and being done to a non-human “life” form. Cue independence in 2014, and the term “zombies”, which was still being levelled at Rangers FC supporters and the club, was labelled a “term of abuse” and banned from usage. Before anyone knew it The Walking Dead wasn’t being advertised or shown in Scotland anymore … and then what became known as The Norwich Laws were suddenly being proposed; “zombie” was a racist term, and acts against anyone in which “zombie” was a factor were labelled a “hate crime.”
What followed was the most bizarre Parliamentary moment in our nation’s history, as one Scottish Labour member jokingly asked the First Minister if that meant real zombies were now protected by the law, and as a sideswipe at him the leader of this so-fine country of ours said “If the dead ever rise and claim equal rights here in Scotland then yes, it does.” The chamber, where around half these fine elected officials were later to become dinner, erupted in laughter and he grinned that Cheshire cat grin, and the law was amended accordingly. As no-one ever set down in stone what “claiming equal rights” meant, those rights were “assumed” as naturally flowing from their being alive, and what was written into the law of the land as a joke is no longer funny.
Here in Scotland, I can get arrested for shooting a zombie, right up until that moment when the monster takes a bite out of my arm – an act which would turn me into one of them within 12 hours. I would thereby be more protected, safer, than I am right now. Until some other national authority decides Scotland has to be saved from itself, this is how it’s going to be. I haven’t lost hope that my country will come out of this alright, but the second I get the cash to get to England and live safely for the next six month, until I can rebuild my life, I am out of here.
Am I abandoning my country to these mindless flesh eaters? Yes, I am, but in a way they’ve always been here, and they’ve always been treated better than the rest of us. It was a bunch of gibbering loons who got the law changed in the first place, a bunch of blood thirsty creatures who hounded the government into taking revenge against their enemies and made such a ludicrous law possible in the first place. All because of a football team that died but wouldn’t stay dead. It seems somehow ironic – and fitting – that what ended our hopes of an independent country wasn’t an economic crisis, or a natural disaster, but the bloody zombies.
It was ever thus. They killed football here too, long before that.
TET
I got involved in a Twitter conversation and stated that I thought that the charge would relate to the ‘altered’ banner and that some people were going to look rather foolish once this came out in the wash.
Another Tim pointed me in the direction of a conversation he’d had with the SFA where they’ve stated the content of the banner wasn’t the problem it’s the fact that it was displayed twice.
I’m extremely confused. If that’s the case then why the charge?
gordon64
Hope to get the full story next week
I have waited for the total to come in before really commenting. I also need to read back Bhoys & Ghirls on the kind comments tonight, but just in from a few celebration beers with my close friend, Smashing Milk Bottles. Don’t tell 31003 :-)
I posted a tweet on Saturday morning out of respect and hope rather than expectation. I knew that we had prepared well for Saturday, that we had 200 volunteers for the Green Bucket Army and also the Big Mhan had blessed us with the weather. Whilst I knew of the kindness of our Celtic family, I was also aware that times are tough and the day still had to go well.
The tweet was kindly reposted today as a reminder
Fred @macaronibake
@marc_crc “today we show you what the Celtic family is about” Your quote from Saturday, so apt when I heard the fantastic total earlier
Well the Green Bucket Army, the Celtic family, the Wags, the Team Leaders, the coordinators, the photographer, the Knox family were immense and their work and donations on the day have just totally blown my mind.
I believe we have achieved the biggest collection army to descend on Paradise (outskirts) and collected the highest amount ever!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
HH
CRC