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
- ...
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- »
Well Ah guess yer aw away tae yer scratchers then.
So ah’l leave yez wi this,
we’ve fought ye for 800 years & wull fight ye fur 800 more.
Ah said ooh ah up the fuckin Rah
Morning,all.
I trust the hangovers are starting to kick in. MAGIC!!!!!
Ooooops,sorry for shouting.
It’s been kinda quiet on the blog recently,too busy pretending we have a life,I suppose. But a couple of posts really cheered me up fine style.
OLDTIM 0926 and TRAVELLERBHOY 1357.
And this one from JAMESGANG
http://danspira.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/fat-cat-on-couch.gif
Nice touch also at 0007,from my Dad. Hugs and kisses and see you in Belfast.
Good morning CQN
Forgetting King, Kennedy and the Knights (not St Columba) of any colour, and having read all that surrounds Ibrox over the last couple of weeks, including the ‘smoking’ e-mail – I just cannot see that it would be in anyone connected to Sevco interests to push for Administration.
The show must stay on the road for all concerned it seems to me, or it will collapse into Liquidation.
Could a creditor maybe appoint a receiver?
Any thoughts???????
HORRID HENRY
A creditor can apply for a winding-up order.
Tricoloured Ribbon
00:53 on 26 December, 2014
As long as the Prod, Masonic establishment remains in Scotland,
the party goes on.No change.
________________________
Post of the thread – accuracy personified
take a bow – Hail Hail
Off oot afore the brainwashing dreamers drag themselves from their pits to take centre stage and play their repertoire of smoke-screens-mirrors etc…to their gullible adoring throngs of easily duped-dafties that are changed into PL-loving-donkeys like the wans oot of ‘Pinocchio’ – Hee haw – CSC
Off oot, bye.
I’ve just dropped in to see you all
I will nae stay awhile
I want to see how you’re getting on
I want to see you smile
I’m happy to be back again
I love you one and all
For there’s no place else on earth just like………
Paddy T
Morning
First post with modern technology. Its hard,and slow,
Lilys
LILYSGRANDPA
Easy with the pornographic references,mate.
BMCUW,
HAHA chance would be a fine thing haha.
Merry Christmas to you and yours,Bobby
lilys
Good Morning Timland.
Kevj……I see the festive spirit has not blunted your sword,
good, hope you had a great one my ole jungle comrade.
The Bevan house is being invaded today,so no sitting in
the big chair watching fitba and horses,I will save a few
bob then,although my drinks cabinet will take a severe
hit…..away to walk the dug, have a great day cqn.
Happy Stephen’s Day to all on CQN. I love this day as my dad was called Stephen and he passed his deep love of all things Celtic onto us. He was lifting me over the turnstiles when I was 5 (much to my mother’s disgust – “girls don’t go to the football”), but I so glad he ignored her!! He had his fatal heart attack at Celtic Park in 1986 and I miss him so much but I know he’ll be so proud to see his children and grandchildren at Mass for him today and cheering on the Hoops tomorrow. Keeping alive all he held dear – faith, family, football.
I’ll also be remembering all CQNers today who have their own poignant and powerful memories at this time of year. God bless you all and thank you for being here, caring and making this blog what it is.
HH
PS. 1 more sleep!!!!!
Like no other,
Beautifully posted.
Lilys
Xmas day was really dull….. Not even one story emulated from the big hoose which was the first in a year!!!
Bring on Mike and his magpies!
Hx2
Good morning CQN from Dumbreck on St Stephen’s day, have a good one. Just PMSL as I was looking for times of the daily Mass at the local church, St Leo the Great, to find out that the Church’s Twitter name is
@stleothegreatibroxRC
I’m of a mind to change my moniker to that, lol.
Lily’s grandpa
Thank you – don’t know where all that came from – my maximum post is usually 2 and half lines!! But I’d just been thinking about all I had to be grateful for and most of them stem from my dad.
Enjoy a lazy day!!
HH
Like no other,
Your very welcome. This time of year we all think about family,and friends no longer with us,but as you say, grateful for so much more.
Lazy day?you say, Lilys visiting so that puts the kibosh in the notion!! haha
Wouldnt have it any other way!,,
lilys
Good morning. I don’t post on here often but I do have a look in every day. Definitely the best Celtic fans site IMO.
Looking forward to the Ross County game tomorrow and our supporters club are having the usual Christmas get together after the game. We are due to give a team a real pumping. Look for the best odds you can get on a 6-0 victory.
Looking ahead to 2015 through my half full glass, I see Celtic winning the treble. Hail Hail!
Good morning guys,
happy st Stephens day to you all.
Like no other, lovely words.
Busy busy time in the masty household, grandson 5 today and mrs Ms birthday tomorrow,
hopefully get a few beers with tonyd in the brazen after the game.
Truly hope 2015 is ronny Ds year
Buon Natale.
Horrid Henry… The most fascinating thing about Sevco is that there is no obvious gameplan for anyone involved anymore. We knew what Murray’s game was, ditto Whyte, and also Green eventually…
But now the team is dreadful, the money has all but run out, and the fans are deserting.
For the one remaining businessman of any reputation left – Ashley – there must be significant risk of reputational damage associated with an ugly collapse.
Is there more money to be eeked out of the Zombies? Are they expecting a bailout from the SFA to ease them into the promised land of the top league? Are they waiting for King or someone else to throw shedloads of cash at them so they get get the hell out of Dodge?
Or are they, like Charlie Nick, “just sitting there thinking”… “How the **** do we get out of this mess?”
It’s endlessly, mordantly, weirdly, fascinating.
We’re having a Boxing Day sale at http://www.cqnbookstore.com
If you missed out on CQN Annual yesterday or want a copy of Caesar & The Assassin or some great Celtic DVDs check it out.
I see spurs saying big virgil is not worth 10m, good come back next year with 15..
There’s big Pete(Geppetto) oan BBC1 with one of his puppet’s.
Wonder who, eh?
WGS?
BTM?
NFL?
RD?
Phil Mac?
Auldhied?
67 Heaven?
Tony Donnelly67 ?
Etc…….
Bye.
Italiabhoy,
the huns are donalded (again),the new entity is close to the edge, no way I
on ghods green earth will ashley spend the kind of money needed to steady the good ship sevco,20m alone to bring ipox upto standard,
anyone else hear about them changing beer from carling back to tennants in the lounges?.I heard they owe carling close to 400 grand.
Kevj,
goodwill to all men and all that?
….maybe no.
Morning all and a happy St Stephen’s day.
Had a lovely day yesterday and I hope you all did as well.
HH!!
Lily’s Grandpa
Haha !!! Know the feeling but that’s what’s keeping us young and sprightly. Allegedly.
Enjoy your day!!
HH
St Martins Bhoy, Hooooopy Birthday fhella.
Hope Santa was good to you and today brings you mall you hope for.
Might see you tomorrow, wear the Santa outfit again, I’ll recognise you this time!
masty,
I agree on Ashley. I suspect he realises he’s made a terrible mistake (as Llambias apparently warned him a few months ago), and is looking for an out.
The SFA may just have provided him with one.
The physical deterioration of Ibrox is little mentioned in this story, but I think it’s one of the most significant factors. Had a couple of friends who were there for the rugby during the CW Games – they were shocked at its dilapidated interior spaces.
The next few weeks will tell us much about the gameplans – if any – of the major players.
SS 6
Garrincha…football great
italiabhoy
09:05 on 26 December, 2014
Buon Natale.
Horrid Henry… The most fascinating thing about Sevco is that there is no obvious gameplan for anyone involved anymore. We knew what Murray’s game was, ditto Whyte, and also Green eventually…
——
The only lifeline could be if MASH balance the incomings and outgoings. Somehow (I know, that is a huge and potentially impossible task).
Mr Derek – Not So Succulent – Lambias is intent on doing just that it seems.
The end of January will be a fair barometer of how successful he can be. I would expect 10 -15 players to go minimum between sales and loans if they are cutting costs.
If they can achieve a possibility of financial equilibrium within 3 years say, it might be worthwhile for big Mick to hang about (he is known for playing the long game).
His retail contract will give him a steady income, with the slim possibility a successful football team might emerge at some point (you know, a cup run in the Scottish one year. That type of thing).
They might just keep the ship afloat if they can cut expenses back to the bone, reschedule some of the more onerous contracts and build a young vibrant team capable of competing in the top league..
However, no fans are coming and he stadium is falling down and Charlie get a wheelbarrow full of Nelson Eddies every week, so they are probably humped. Merry Christmas :-)
Morning Celts, happy St Stephens day to ye all!
Happy birthday also to Lisbon Lion extraordinaire Steve Chalmers
Hx2
And trolls are not just for Christmas it seems.
Boxing Day too……..
Happy birthday also to St Martins bhoy and all Celts who share their birth day with him
Hx2
Pf,
merry xmas to you and yours,
my wee granda told me a tale (probably a tall one),regarding garrincha, seemingly he was out injured for months, no doctor or physio could pin down a diagnosis, aboutb10/12 weeks into his sabbatical he visited a dentist to have a wisdom tooth removed and low and behold the injury disappeared.
Italiabhoy
Ashley is ruthless ….some at Sevco think he is a saviour
They should sisal to some Newcastle fans
There is no emotional interest in Sevco for Ashley …he’s after a few bob…at the moment the kit deal suits him very well ….not so well that he will throw a fortune at them
IMO ….as soon as Lambias informs Ashley of the full extent of Sevco’s financial woes ,….administration will be seen as the best way to jettison all the unnecessary onerous contracts
Forgot to mention garrinch’s injury was a knee injury, wisdom tooth removed and knee swelling disappeared, as I said probably a tall tale.
Morning all.
Bright and cold down here today. Will the sun appear? He might do (hopefully).
Auldheid,
That game I mentioned yesterday at Easter Road, when John Clark scored, why do you think there was such a large crowd in midweek that they had to close the gates?