After last week’s Celtic Foundation bucket collection at Celtic Park, my 12-year-old, who was collecting, was amazed that someone put a £20 note in his bucket. He wanted to know why people do things like that.
There are lots of possible reasons. It’s the right thing to do, there are many in our community who are need, and who we would happily help if they were standing beside us. A lot has to do with upbringing, not everyone believes fraternal help services the common good, but for some, it’s part of their core values. More precisely, it’s part of the values they acquired when they took to do with their football club.
In the early decades of Celtic Football Club, people literally ‘clubbed’ together to build the first, and then second, Celtic Park, mostly without pay. An informal collection of labourers dug foundations and shovelled earth to create bankings. Many got involved years after Walfrid left for pastures news, but the way in which the community claimed ownership of the club, without actually owning a share, of course, gave you and me an enormously privileged heritage.
We have a back narrative which most 21st century organisations could never dream of attaining.
I know that £20 is a lot of money to put into a bucket, but this year I’ve seen many people do this, and so much more, in the name of Celtic.
A year ago the CQN community told Mary’s Meals that we would build a school kitchen for them in Malawi. We booked the Kerrydale Suite for CQ10 and hoped we could sell more than 30 tickets. The night was sold-out and you raised over £23,000. Before the night was finished the two guys from Mary’s Meals knew they had enough money to build three school kitchens!
The money was soon put to action, all three kitchens were completed by May. Each day over 2000 primary-age children eat what is often their only meal of the day in a facility you paid for, prepared with utensils you bought.
The UN reckon Malawi is the 17th poorest country on the planet, but it is fertile for development work. 93% of the money raised by Mary’s Meals reaches the target communities. The kids being fed in CQN kitchens for the last 7 months are heavier and healthier than before. School attendance has increased by over 30%, so kids who previously had to labour for food are now getting an education instead.
They will have better life-choices as adults and more of them will be alive long enough to become adults.
The CQNers who started our charity activities nearly a decade ago are the golfers, they did so again in July, then there was the runners, the badge collectors and the many who were just touched by one story or another and stepped forward.
One of the reasons many of you should be proud of yourself is the Kano Foundation. Kano – Martin Kane – was one of the original CQNers, who got up in the middle of the night in Perth W. Australia to watch his team, and argue with his pals on here. When he suffered an enormously debilitating illness a community grew up around him, which became the Kano Foundation, and has since brought thousands of kids to see Celtic.
This week we learned Kano is seriously ill in hospital, so the seasonal cheer is tempered.
Whatever your memories of 2014 are, they will also be tempered by the challenges Wee Oscar and his family went through. I know there are people who made an enormous difference to his life who first read about him here. The stories of the work they put in will never be told, because that’s the way they want it, but they made a profound impact on the world.
2015 has a hard act to follow, but we’ve told Mary’s Meals we’ll build them another school kitchen, and we’ve just told Celtic to book the Kerrydale Suite for Friday 13th March for CQ11. It’s St Patrick’s weekend, it’s League Cup Final weekend and it’s the week of the 50th anniversary of Jock Stein taking over; it has the making of a memorable night…..
Why do people put £20 into a bucket, why do thousands give anonymously throughout the year, why do hundreds go above and beyond the call of duty? If you think Celtic is a football club, you’ve not been paying attention. It is the most powerful social movement most of us will ever become involved with.
It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of the family and humbling to see it in action.
Have a great Christmas, you deserve it.
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A Vigil is somebody who thinks he is better than the rest of the team
Beatboy
Hope you’re not accusing me of mendacity!
On Sat Hibees plus
Beechgrove Bluebell to beat B&Q Ramblers in the Brassica Cup.Bluebell managed by Sally who can work unpaid whist on gardening leave !
HH
SOAL
Absolutely magic x
bgx- cheers bro
GODBLESSBIGEFE
HH
A song from a guy who had a bit part in The Doors movie
Billy Idol – Jingle Bell Rock
http://youtu.be/NB2xA9b026k
A Virgil pilots Thunderbird 2’….no idea which one McKnight flew……..get my coat.
Vmhan
Have not noticed many posts from you recently. Hope you are well. Do not get the chance now to meet your mother weekly, so not sure how you are.
Have a Happy Christmas, you and the family. Take care.
Ht
Please don’t encourage him:o)
The Boss
Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
http://youtu.be/iSgEDKjmT5o
Ghuys:
Not long in from Mass, Jim Byrne was a Parishioner in Whifflet St. Mary’s and he had been unwell. I broke the news to our Parish Priest.
Thank you all for your best wishes, some of his friends who knew him better than me read these pages and will appreciate it. When I say they knew him better it is not a slight on me. I only knew Jim for about 20 years the other Bhoys all members of Tommy Burns Coatbridge CSC knew him longer. One Patbhoy of this Parish was the same age as him and played football together. I too am now a proud member of Tommy Burns Coatbridge CSC. Jim was 62 years old.
Jim was an able bodied man until 1978 when he had an accident, since then he was confined to a Wheelchair. He did though continue to travel to see his beloved Celtic until it got too much for him.
I raise my Glass I end this post. God Bless Jim Byrne, Rest in Peace my friend.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
A very Merry Christmas to one and all.
I have just enjoyed viewing sky arts 2 live CHRISTMAS mass from the Vatican.
eddieinkirkmichael
22:19 on 24 December, 2014
Saint Leonard’s at midday I suggest.
Ok last one from me promise :O)
California Raisins – Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
http://youtu.be/Gs–phzj2TQ
http://youtu.be/Udl7YGhXxfs
Merry Christmas (from Luca Bloom)
embramike
15:50 on 24 December, 2014
Hi mate nice to hear from you. We are well not been on much,we are both doing great have had a busy year. I noticed there is talk of cq11 will be looking for tickets for that.
Hope you have a good Xmas and New Year.
HH
EDB
He needs the attention :-)
hamiltontim:
I have had the great honour for a number of years now that you carried out for the first time this evening. What I find particularly rewarding and uplifting is when I visit the Patients in Coathill Hospital.
I hope and Pray you find it as rewarding as I do.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lennybhoy.
Hail hail..
Now reached the keyboards to indulge in all things
Celtic.
Hope all is well..
Let the people sing..
Lennybhoy
A fitting tribute to Jim.
I’m sure I will, the emotional aspect overcame me somewhat tonight :-)
eldiegobhoy:
Thank you for the call my friend. My love to Kerri and Meghan. Your secret is safe with me, now away and fill that Glass up…:)
A Happy and Holy Christmas to you and the Ghirls.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Just new to CQN (having lurked for ages) but love this site so much. Thanks to Paul for all he does. All 4 kids home for Christmas and we’re off out to Midnight Mass. So I’m a happy mother hen tonight. Will look out for you all on Saturday and will come and say hello if I feel brave enough!!
Merry Christmas everyone and hail hail!!!
Minx pointed out to me a post on Facebook earlier from wee Jay’s da.
Before he went to bed tonight the wee man left out treats for Santa and the reindeer.
Mince pies, milk, carrots, a beer for Santa…..
and a Celtic DVD just in case Santa wanted to have a rest and watch it.
Brilliant :-)
big archie:
About bloody time you got posting. Mr. McG?
Yip I thought you may have been coatdykebhoy, think I frightened him.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
topkat:
Big Owen’s not been the same Pub mate for last 50 years. I started drinking in it about circa 1980 when it was a Man’s Pub and lock-ins. Not the same since it was refurbished, different Clientele, more couples and younger age group.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Already posted …!!??
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/11312941/Rangers-chairman-David-Somers-could-face-probe-by-Stock-Market-regulators-for-his-role-in-Mike-Ashley-bid.html
Please
Please
Please
Please
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me get what I want this time.
Bah Hunbug!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5pdWOsCQAAzw0n.jpg:large
CELTIC FC
SOAL
Two front teeth?
big archie
23:04 on 24 December, 2014
As you hailed me on that Euro night…Keep the Faith!
As you know I sign my post with the aforementioned.You will now need to sign yours…let the people sing.
Things are good mate, really pleased you’ve started posting. Next up will be your first hootenay. You all organised?
Drop me an e-mail and I will give you my Moby No. lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
like no other
23:10 on 24 December, 2014
Welcome to the blog.
A Happy and Holy Christmas to you and the family.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lennybhoy.
Cheers .
Mr McG alive and kicking.
Enjoy your Christmas .
Hail hail to all our friends in Celtic.
let the people sing….
So I’m starting my new job as a hairdresser in Jamaica in the new year. I’m dreading the first day…..
(I know, on my way to the cloakroom already…)
Like no other
Welcome on board the good ship CQN. Don’t be a stranger and best wishes to you and your lovely family.
Enjoy this wonderfull. season.
the spirit of arthur lee
23:15 on 24 December, 2014
A real Billionaire…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
big archie
23:23 on 24 December, 2014
Good to read mate, it was great to see you that night along with your big/wee brother…:)
big archie, you can explain the moniker in the e-mail.
I hope and Pray you, A and the family have a happy and holy Christmas, mind the e-mail.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lennybhoy
Only if you and HT get promoted to Plate duty
XXX
https://twitter.com/theclumpany/status/547806656567181312