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.
1,109 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- ...
- 30
- »
BMCUWP
You too mate!
Hope to see you in the New Year!
Merry Christmas Bhoys and Ghirls
I hope Santa was good to you all? Time to relax with family and friends and be grateful for those still around us.
Have a great day and C’mon the Hoops!
HH
CRC
To all of you merry Christmas -and wishing you all health and happiness for the coming year hh
See you all behind the goals !
Not forgetting
Paul and family and all the Cqn team for this wonderful blog and to WC great news re Caesar and the Assasin -I know how hard you and all the team have worked to achieve that -well done
( hope you have the film rights sewn up !!:)
Merry Christmas everyone….
CQN annual under the tree this morning, Quality Street Gang book….more than my fair share of Chateauneuf du Pape….chilling the rest of today
HH
nakasammi
#bringsammihome
BMCUW
How’s the turkey coming along?
HH!!
johann murdoch
13:21 on 25 December, 2014Not forgettingPaul and family and all the Cqn team for this wonderful blog and to WC great news re Caesar and the Assasin -I know how hard you and all the team have worked to achieve that -well done( hope you have the film rights sewn up !!:)
Those pesky North Koreans from South of the river might cyberbomb it ….
Merry Christmas to you and yours
Bada bing and to you and the family ! Watch out for the pesky sevcovians too Hh
( wife got me young Frankenstein dvd as a pressie :)))
Puttin’ on the Ritz……:)
What humf….?
TALLYBHOY
Dunno,mate.
Is self-basting like self-flagellation?
Cos I always thought that was reserved for us Tims,but not all of us.
Seems the huns are into it too.
Has any one ever seen Gordon 64 and Jesus in the same room, it’s a mystery ah tell ye!
Happy Birthday Mate…
Heard a wee rumour that some cqners were asking after me.
Why am I not surprised.
It’s what Celtic supporters do
As Paul says it’s all so much more than just supporting the hoops.
I speak from personal experience of this spirit in action. I don’t know if anyone remembers but last xmas I was at a really low ebb. A lonely wreck,in despair and in a bottle. I posted on this wonderful blog and my celtic family rallied round as only they can. They dragged me through with their compassion and encouragement. I say to anyone out there in the same place,try it,post on here they’re your family after all
I thank ghod that I found this special place.
Personally my life has turned around
Back in the bosom of my family,about to have dinner with my wife and my 5 weans,wearing an iffy jumper listening to the laughter. Life’s good. Looking forward with optimism. Ready to face the future
Ready to face my demons
Thank you for everything CQN and all the posters on here. Some I’ve met, most I haven’t but I know them. We all do
Merry Xmas to all on here and all facing loneliness and heartbreak
Miracles do happen
Traveller bhoy
Good man, best of luck
Afternoon All
Merry,and Holy Christmas to all!
But got a major gripe here.Ive watched the Snowman since my son was a tot, hes 31 now, greet everytime I watch it,now I believe its a true story!
Today for the first time I watched the Snowman&snow dog, now Im not wearing it, a Snowman would never get a pilots license !!! Burst my bubble!!
Hail hail, and love to everyone!
lilys
Hope everyone is having a great relaxing day.
A friend was on the phone earlier saying we are in for another Man City player on loan. Young Irish guy called jack Byrne, central midfielder.
As pointed out on FB earlier:
No matter how disappointed you may be with a gift, please remember, some poor soul has unwrapped a Rangers top this morning:-)
Now caught up, real busy time, for this Santa
Very Very Happy Christmas to one and all
But
It’s already Boxing Day starting in many a country, so
Sammi stay where you are, your doing fine, on WBA bench :-)
Hail Hail Bhoys and Ghirls
TravellerBhoy, good to read that post.
Keep it lit.
A very Happy Christmas to all on CQN and to all Tims worldwide.
Happy Birthday to Gordon64.
travellerbhoy,
Best of luck to you mate.Lovely post.
Gordon64, Hoooopy Birthday.
Doc, now that was good for you :-)
Travellerbhoy – Hail Hail to that
Gordon64, what a special day to celebrate, enjoy your day
&
Winning Captains, that is brilliant news Bhud, very well done for the efforts in achieving No1 ( never doubted yo would achieve it mind :-))
Hail Hail
CowieBhoy, I thought so.
Need to read back, what’s WC at No.1 for at Christmas? never heard him sing!
Roasters to look after, so laters.
CowieBhoy, that’s potatoes in the oven, no you!
tallybhoy
13:25 on 25 December, 2014
BMCUW
How’s the turkey coming along?
HH!!
…..
Is he no on gardening leave…?
Doc, seeing it’s Christmas, specially for you :-)
winning captains
12:04 on 25 December, 2014
Martin 42
I wouldn’t give up on that one just yet.
Just had a wee look on Twitter and was chuffed to discover that Caesar & The Assassin has made it to No. 1 as Book of the Month at WH Smith! Wee pic is on the CQN Magazine Facebook page – that’s made my Christmas!
Travellerbhoy
Your post is my best Christmas present so far. And i don’t expect any others to close…..
HH jamesgang
Merry Christmas to all and a special thank you to Burghbhoy ‘s two weans for the Ross County ticket.
Question….Does anyone know if Lanliq is still available for purchase?
Also Banana rum? I was asked in Canada to pick some up for an auld punter and I’m having some difficulties.
Hail Hail a’body
Best wishes everyone, hope you all have a happy & holy Christmas.
Triggers broom ( The Rangers ) on GOLD channel now :)
travellerbhoy
Fantastic mate
I’m chuffed for you and yours
HH
I was watching a three stooges film this morning and I was struck by the similarity with the Sevco management team. This hapless trio of slapstick merchants move from disaster to disaster, and while the faces change from time to time their gormless antics continue unaltered. The stooges are the same.
Have a good one fholks
Happy Christmas from across the pond.
These are days of reflection on our blessings and a time to reach out a hand to those less fortunate.
If you have a family member or a friend who supports Sevco, please extend a Christmas blessing and remind them they can get help from
http://www.samaritans.org
Paul67 et al
Paul, thanks and best wishes for all your efforts over the years, and for helping to co-ordinate all the efforts of all on here. A happy Christmas to one and all.
nb What did Mama Turkey say to her naughty little turkey boy?
“Your Daddy will be turning in his gravy!”
Travellerbhoy always dip in and out of CQN there is always more smiles than frowns
Eddieinkirkmichael is Jack any relation to the legend that is Dick Byrne ?
Doc, made me laugh, just showed my Sevconian mrs that post about unwanted presents, the state that mob are in they can’t even turn it around to a Celtic top these days, anyway our carriage awaits out for Christmas dinner my only day if the year I don’t have to do the dishes, once again every single person out there have a great time, phone off family time
Travellerbhoy
You fair know how to make my day.
I’m soooooo proud of you my friend ,enjoy every second wae yer clan :))))
This will be my song for the next few weeks
Heading up the Glasgow Road
http://youtu.be/QQtat8hn-18
Merry Christmas all.
Thanks very much for all your best wishes.
Now that i’m 50 i can legally send my jobby in the post
which will make a change from me posting it in on CQN.
Have a great day everyone.