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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For Gordon64 on his birthday
Bruce Springsteen – Waitin’ on a Sunny Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiCxqhu9cio
bada
do that always a laugh. You going to Belfast in February? Hh
dubaibhoy-ur they still deid?
20:28 on 25 December, 2014
Merry Christmas bud
HH
Roy C – no mate it falls in between a NEBOSH H&S course, and a trip to New York a couple of weeks after it.
Bada
need to catch up soon then
hh
roy croppie
You going to Belfast in February?
HH
Jackie
Just simply a great song by a gear singer
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aDnPJHObems
Captain Beefheart, a Merry Christmas to you too.
KevJungle, have a great time.
Dan, take care and enjoy.
Lennybhoy, the very best to you and M.
starry plough, straight back at you.
kevinlasvegas, hope you had a great time.
Colour Blind Bhoy, very best wishes.
GuyFawkesaforeverhero, hope you enjoyed the day.
LiviBhoy, and a great one to you too.
3mick3, get back to blogging, not lurking!
The Good Ship, there sure is………
dessybhoy, fantastic work, to a man.
Gene, ‘informal is the new formal’, like it.
Token, hope you and yours had a great day.
bambi, yes, thoughts with our pal Kano today.
Sannabhoy, aye, wonder what this place will be like when Minx and HT get into it!
martybhoy59, well said.
Auldheid, made me feel good too.
mncelt, it sure was.
glasgowdave, remarkable indeed.
normanstreet49, a peaceful and safe one to you too.
Burghbhoy, yes, thoughts here passed to Miki last night.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy, yes, the catalyst is rollin’.
Kojo, babe (if I may also be so informal), yes, WE did so well, didn’t we! Take care, pal. Good chatting.
Awe_Naw, awe away, ‘sacrafices’, awe, naw, no that anaw. Take care.
EXILED TIM, an’ to you.
connaire12, you’re very welcome.
RWE, and to you too.
weebobbycollins, long time no see, hope you are well.
Ellboy, always keep some jelly & ice cream in reserve!
ger57, aye, to one and all.
googybhoy, and to yours.
San Diego Bhoy, good to hear from you. Hope the S.D. sun continues to shine.
Cowiebhoy, and thank you, for all those selfless efforts!
Philbhoy, I think it’s been more than five years you’ve been here. Take care.
Neustadt-Braw, and the same straight back to you.
nakasammi, and what a wonderful club it is.
stpatricksbhoy, hope yours had a great one too.
neilbhoy, your v welcome.
Gerryfaethebrig, I will, thank you. Tread carefully w that Sports Direct FC chat at home, b.t.w.
67 European Cup Winners, I think one of them is happy I’m spending time away here!
excathedra44, it sure was.
pauloantony, you’re very welcome.
Hrvatski Jim, and the same to you too.
Taurangabhoy, Merry Christmas to you too.
viewfaethewindae, I hope your pal is suitably informed.
Hamiltontim, I agree w that wholeheartedly. Well said.
big archie, Let the people sing………
skyisalandfill, and to you and yours.
Like no other, delighted you joined us.
gordybhoy64, a good one to you too.
thebhoyfromoz, ho, ho, ho, indeed.
Catman, and back at you.
Beechbhoy, love every minute of it.
Hoop Doggydog, aye, love them.
mighty tim, hope you had a fantastic time w the grandson.
Bennybhoy, they sure are.
FAVOURITE UNCLE, and to you.
Gretnabhoy, the same back to you.
oldtim67, I know exactly how you have inspired many on here. I also know that you don’t know have of that story. Stay as you are.
hankray, hope Dublin was a safe and sunny day for you.
Tarrant, and a Merry Christmas to you too.
praecepta, and the same to you and yours. Hope it was a good one.
Captainmoonlight, same straight back to you.
An Tearmann, what a gift CQN has been to me.
SFTBs, thanks. Totally agree on Oldtim’s message.
goldstar10, and a v Merry one to you too.
johann Murdoch, have a great one.
Travellerbhoy, fantastic news, absolutely delighted. Thanks for sharing.
Celtic Mac, delighted to contribute.
Ard Ri, you are very welcome.
Parkheadcumsalford, delighted to hear that about your Dad. Would be furious to be locked out of a game at the turnstile. And John Clark scored!!
pigalle, glass raised back to you.
Kilbowie Kelt, I hear you, pal.
Dubaibhoy, it sure is.
dode, hope the love stretched to Sydney and back.
dena29
Yip going with VP and G64
HH
Podium
the spirit of arthur lee
22:30 on 25 December, 2014
I’ll second that…
Luv
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
roy croppie
22:29 on
25 December, 2014
dena29
Yip going with VP and G64
HH
Hoopy days see you there that’ll be at least two new cqn’ers to hug :-)))))
only joking about the hugs
HH
P67-is that a list? Well done on all the years’ achievements, Merry Christmas to you and yours. HH
dena29
look forward to it.
HH
roy croppie
ditto
HH
Arnies’s troup is about to get it from The Predator on sky 1- remind you a bit of sally and the gang!
Santa is still alive and well, at 22.38 tonight Paul67 gave me a mention, the best Christmas present apart from my retro away top I received today from my Sevconian step-daughter (the CR Smith one, 3 amigos top but none of them legends in my mind) away to my kip a happy Bhoy, looking forward to picking my Boxing Day losing coupon, Paul67 this household speaks the truth they might not be able too handle the truth but am afraid they have to hear it, anyway good night, god bless and especially for the Malawi kids have a right good pat in the back, thank you for CQN happyclapper CSC
Gerryfaethebrig
for someone banned from cqn on christmas day you did not bad lol
they obviously knew what would make your day :-)))))
good night
HH
Happy Christmas to all on CQN.
And Hoops fans everywhere.
Hail Hail.
Fred C. Dobbs
the same to you sir
Goodnight Timland
Two more sleeps
HH
Merry Christmas to all on CQN.
Now do yourself a favour and watch the best football tv of the year on BBC 2 right now.
Marvellous!
T4
dena29,
Sleep well.
Hail Hail.
tommytwiststommyturns
23:12 on 25 December, 2014
A Happy and Blessed Christmas to you and P my good friend, sorry I never sent you a Card, got yours.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Zico-Maltese Bhoy
There were two winners who shared 1.5 Million Euros. One of the winners was a Scottish guy who was just over to visit a friend.€750,000 that would keep you in Gardening leave for at least a year
Sounds like a plan, but don’t fancy flying over and staying in 5 nights a week or changing my name to Alistair !
Suppose I’ll bring my own kitty as the chances of lightning striking twice are as likely as hearing the Champions League theme over Ibrokes any time soon HH
Lenny – best wishes to you and M. Watch Beeb2 just now….it will make your spirits soar!
God bless, you’re one of the finest Tims God ever put on this planet.
T4
Good evening all.
Just popped in to say, I hope you all had a wonderful day, as we had, and a very merry Christmas to Paul67 and all who support him on CQN and, of course, every CQNr and Celtic Supporters throughout the world. KTF.
Night Night Timland.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Dena29….
A lot of trips to the toilet, at one stage my 6yr old took my phone off me before I went to the rest-room, the old CQN is addictive even more so on days like this when even the trolls (whoever they are) can’t start an argument, by the way only reason I am back on as the wee yin and her mum are snoring, take care n god bless
Embramike
Hi mate how’s things.sorry missed you on blog yesterday. Hope you’ve had a good Christmas.
WeefratheTim
23:26 on 25 December, 2014
Yup! Huns tae! God Bless!
We all like big derek jonsin
He isny that brihht
I know that jim mccoll had a biz plan but the peepul wanted cash
What a laf these peepul are
tommytwiststommyturns
23:24 on 25 December, 2014
Watching it mate, it’s Marvellous…:)
Your not so bad yourself as Tims go!
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Good King Wenceslas got the munchies on the feast of Stephen
‘Do you want your usual? Deep pan, crisp and even?’
Until we meet again….
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
nally81
23:30 on 25 December, 2014
Good King Wenceslas got the munchies on the feast of Stephen
‘Do you want your usual? Deep pan, crisp and even?’
jim mccoll had a biz plan but the peepul wanted cash
Super Ally had a plan based on where theyd sing the sash
:)
Anyone got the link to the snow outside your window app
Good evening Timland & a merry Xmas to you all if there’s anyone still there.
The wife’s away to bed so I’m just sittin here on ma todd listenin tae rebel songs etc on youtube havin a wee brandy …or 3.
Mags,
feck them all.
ha ha..
the griff is comin..and when he unleashes torment on the dungwallers all will be well.
Nooo Ronny get yer mince pies feasted on this.
Get Griffiths, the best striker in Scotland on nooo.
Bang bang bang