You did this in 2012

Every year we ask you to put your hand in your pocket for various causes and every year you react, but never more so than 2012.  You responded magnificently to the Wee Oscar Appeal, which from Celtic fans in total raised £31k in a bucket collection in September and £27k at a race night last month.

It is breath-taking to see the work done by those who, without thought for their personal sacrifices, decided this young boy would get the best chance possible.  The photographs of Oscar are an inspiration, but the work done by those who staged the race night and bucket collection – and brought a new CQN badge to life – is even more inspiring.

The events surrounding the charity golf day raised four-figure sums for Oscar, the Neuroblastoma Alliance, the Martin Chambers Ecuador Trust and The Haven in Blantyre, which supports people with life limiting illness.  There were smaller donations too, each one a credit to the organisers and to those of you who contributed.

The overwhelming majority of this work, and pretty much all donations, are made by people who don’t want any thanks and would be horrified by publicity.  In most instances the beneficiaries will never know their names.  I’m in the really fortunate position that I get to see a lot of this happen and I can assure you it is awe inspiring.  You are in the company of many great Celts.

This club is not Neil Lennon’s or Dermot Desmond’s, it’s yours.  Celtic will win and lose many games but that will change nothing that is really important.  You are the person who will make it a unique force for good in the world.  That is our challenge for 2013.

Thank you for all your help, take care and have an absolutely fantastic Christmas.