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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Ashley can’t increase his shareholding … the AGM decided that only current shareholders can buy new shares.
So what happens next?
Does another shareholder invest more? We’ve heard that the institutions involved won’t put in more cash. Will Ashley loan them the £8M or so they are reported to need – and on what security?
joe filippis haircut
13:00 on 24 December, 2014
tondonnelly.
I dont have proof but if its hairy like a dog and it barks like a dog and wags its tail like a dog its safe to assume its a dog.
H.H.
—————————–
or the mother in law
There’s yer dinner, Mike!
TD67
Riot club eh…..well at least we would fight for our beliefs….unlike Big Peter.
I take that as a compliment….cheers, riot club it is:)
HH
OK, 500 words on ‘Implications of today’s decision to refuse Mash application”
… anyone ??
gene
Tragic mate
Thoughts and prayers
HH
Ashley will go down the Blue (floating)Pitch or Margarita route, faceless and nameless. Suits them down to the ground that lot
leftclicktic
12:51 on 24 December, 2014
Just spoke to cowiebhoy you got one out of two right.
It’s his Maw’s birthday no his…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
The Scottish FA Board convened on Tuesday, 23rd December to hear a submission from the Board of Rangers Football Club. This meeting was arranged in respect of a request set out in an Application to Consent to an increase in MASH Holdings Limited’s shareholding in Rangers International Football Club to a maximum of 29.9% of the issued share capital.
The Board has now carefully considered the Application and has decided, unanimously, that the Application should not be granted.
The Board, under Article 13 of the Scottish FA Articles of Association, is required to have due regard to the need to promote and safeguard the interests and public profile of association football, its players, spectators and others involved with the game. This test is set out in full in Article 13.6.
i cant believe the first rule of Riot Club has been violated already
Disband Riot Club
embramike. I think the next move will be down to Mike Ashley.H.H.
Sorry Gene
Your sister in laws brother..
god bless..
Is it no wages day down Govan way? Hope Mike doesn’t take the huff.
Scroogedcfc
Great article Paul67. More power to you and all helpers on this great site which I for 1 take far too mmuch for granted.
New years resolution – must do more.
Thanks
Play
Ah well that SFA statement gets PL and the CFC Board off the hook, as many, yes many, had there knifes out on the SFA accepting it, and of course it would have been CFC and PL fault,.
And don’t say this wasent going to happen.
Presumably Ashley can increase his holding but only in proportion to that which other shareholders invest, as long as his stake doesn’t exceed 9.9%.
So a general offer of shares to all existing shareholders could allow them to bring money in – but who else is going to actually put any money in?
There is always the Virgin Islands option of course a new investor who may or not be linked to MASH purchases Mike Ashley’s shares then invests in an existing Shareholdere offer?
the green man
13:08 on 24 December, 2014
TD67
Riot club eh…..well at least we would fight for our beliefs….unlike Big Peter.
I take that as a compliment….cheers, riot club it is:)
HH
Lol, you obviously haven’t seen the movie.
According to Phil, Dave King may have his own pre-occupations in South Africa which suggests that Paul Murray may have to find another money man if he is to go knocking at the big hoose door again.
TD67. Nah Tony there still culpable. H.H.
TD67
I don’t watch movies….im too busy rioting:)
HH
EmbraMike,
Their predicament can be summed up in much less than 500 words, I think I’d need 3.
Sevco are ……
Not hard to work out the last word.
Supersleekit nearly took a finger off with the secateurs hearing that SFA statement!
SOT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bGcd_hIhtQ
Paul67,
Fantastic work by all of our Bhoys and Ghirls in respect of Mary’s Meals as well as all of the other worthy causes that are supported on here.
Sincere condolences to all connected with the tragedy in Glasgow on Monday.
Very Best Wishes to all for a safe and peaceful Christmas to everyone.
AR
Mair onerous contracts being typed up as wee speak, can’t be much left to scrap over.
Any chance o turnin a profit are minimum. Another smashing wee Christmas ahead.
Well said Paul. It’s always a great time to be a tim, but this era we’re living through is historic. Our positive social movement has won the epochal battle with the bigoted, supremacist, fratricidal (non) movement in Govan. Might not be the greatest Celtic team ever, but having endured the strutting Murray era this is a sweet time indeed. Merry Christmas to you and all on this brilliant blog.
Won’t be a very good xmas for the FF crowd. Sally gone, the timmy SFA sticking it to them again and Messi MacLeod about to be sold.
joe filippis haircut
13:16 on 24 December, 2014
TD67. Nah Tony there still culpable. H.H.
Ahhhhhhh, the blame game, that’s thems no?
Paul,
Just awesome and inspiring
tonydonnelly67. I hope you are right but I have been hearing that on CQN for more than two years and there still hanging on. H.H.
tonydonnelly67
13:12 on 24 December, 2014
________________________
Where’s the last place that you’d think the £8 million would come from to keep the huns alive and, when ye guess it…..think what yer pal PL actually meant when he said that the huns are costing Celtic up to £10 mill a season?
When ye work it oot….have a Merry Christmas
Off oot, bye.
Existing shareholders were asked to stump up only 3 months or so ago and they only raised £3M, so why would they expect to raise more than that in an imminent share issue? Especially since the share price has now dived below the already discounted September price? Ashley has played a game of poker here with the SFA, effectively telling them to let him increase his share or it’s Admin. The SFA have called his bluff, so Ashley now has to show his hand – problem for the SFA is I reckon he’s sitting with four aces.
Look at how arrogant Ashley has been – the SFA carpetted him for owning 10%, so what does he do – he sends his man in to ask the SFA if he can have 30% instead. As the biggest creditor he gets to decide how the Admin cookie crumbles – happy Christmas everyone.
KevJungle. Even I wouldnt believe that.H.H.
kevjungle – no jungle = rebels replaced by sheep, so sad
And a merry Christmas to you and yours.
I see Kenny Bhurns doesnt want davies anywhere near his beloved sevco. ” He ruined forrest twice and he’ll do the same with rangirrs”
When we are united we are a powerful force for good. This year I have witnessed amazing charity work from CQN, The Foundation, The Kano troops and the Green Brigade.
If we leave our young people one thing it should be to maintain our charitable roots.
CQNkeepingtheWalfridspiritaliveCSC
Paul67:
Just catching up, been busy putting cowiebhoy’s daughter in touch with johnbay who in turn will get his Son to contact her in Bondi Beach.
Also thanks to Bob, you know who you are but I don’t know your moniker. Thanks for the offer re-Linda Croker’s appeal on behalf of Sean’s Trust. I have text her and forwarded your e-mail to seanstrust@gmail.com, God bless you.
Paul, the point I am trying to make is that I could not do this without you and CQN, thank you.
A Happy and Holy Christmas to you, Fiona, the Bhoys, Kevin and his Family, Martin and Maureen.
And finally, a Happy and Holy Christmas to my Heroes and the Families that are CQN, without you we would be nothing. Take a bow as I doff my Cap to each and everyone f you. God Bless.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
KevJungle
I would not be surprised at all.
Sounds like the kind of thing businessmen would do to keep their earner going.
They reckon Celtic fans will buy in to their bigot old firm plan.
Hope that ship has sailed.
HH
Happy Festivus to any Seinfeld fans out there!
Can’t wait for the pre-dinner ‘airing of grievances’ this year.
Some of my family are gettin’ it!
Not so much looking forward to the ‘feats of strength’ though.
Larry David. . Genius comedy writer
Jason Alexander and Jerry Stiller (Ben’s da).. …genius comedy actors.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=seinfeld%20festivus%20episode&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CD0QtwIwCQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdS7-jcsB_WQ&ei=Yr-aVNS1OaSu7gaJ1YHwDg&usg=AFQjCNFDRhJNBrxs3_qhx06rhnx_v3LPGw&bvm=bv.82001339,d.ZGU