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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jude
Depends, there is a virus on the go masquerading as Adobe Flash player
HH
I assume something is popping up asking you to update it !
HH
Winning Captains
Sorted now.
Hail Hail!
TET
Ta
Yes. Very annoying tho!!
TET
Java is another one that keeps popping up.
The Hibernian v The Rangers game at Easter road should be a cracker if Hibernian want to be in the play off spot they really need the win while the Rangers with there new manager cant afford to lose.So the game is on paper looking like a cracker. I certainly hope Alan Stubbs and his Hibernian team can beat the Rangers again and give us more Christmas cheer. H.H.
Do they have homes for Furby’s
Just seen a post on Facebook from a Good Celtic man.
He is posting that W.B.A are going to win the bidding war for VVD at 13.8 million.
Can anyone shed any light on this.
I do not know if it was posted earlier.
If true take it.but I doubt it.
What is the % we would have to give to Groningen.HH
ZMB. I cant see big Virgil going to West Brom he has already stated he wants to join a club that are in the Champions league regularly I think Arsenal are favourities.H.H.
Seasons Greetings to all.
Looking forward to seeing the hoops tomorrow. Hate the lack of Scottish Football today.
I note the greatest league in Europe has no additional festive fixtures in the next 2 weeks.
Walters chosen one will have his work cut out at Easter road. A defeat would really ensure an all time low attendance for the loving cup tie with Dumbarton.
Joe
Big Al’s Hibees will be right up against it though, taking on a team led by such a united and well-motivated coaching staff, playing their first ever match at Easter Road.
Hopefully, Mcdowally won’t have to go and tell anyone they’ve been demoted, or worse, and thus interrupt his meticulous preparation for such an important fixture.
new article posted.
Joe Filippis Haircut
Just putting Facebook post from Celtic guy on for discussion point.
IMHO I don’t think VVD is good enough for the top four.
If I am proved wrong I will accept it.
If he does go to a top four club it will mean a good profit for Celtic though.
HH
Anyway, great afternoon of football and horse racing ahead. Recording a fair chunk of it, so I’m off.
Live update to your hearts’ content, bhoys, and enjoy Boxing Day.
Hail! Hail!
Celtic favour Dave king or Ashley
I imagine they could compete finiacily with king but not with the billionaire .Ashley would that be right.
Mon the team in green…
FLEAGLE1888
If this is the correct page,I’m on
WOODFORD COUNTY 235 Chepstow.
Cheers,mate.
Morning all
I will try
Ballinvarig 2 15pm Kempton.
Gl all
Going fot Venetia in the Welsh National
EMPERORS CHOICE ….
big price ….essential as I’m getting done up here :-))
HH
AP and Ruby at Leopardstown. Ruby due a hat trick, maybe McCoy big race double!
I reckon Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty can win with
GRANDOUET 1.10 Kempton NAP
Best of luck,
EC67
In the 12.40 from Kempton – STORM FORCE TEN
Rebeccas Choice
2.35 Chepstow
Good luck to all
Wrong Turn in the 2.55 at Leopardstown for my nap
Big price which I need
Foxrock is the favourite for this race and has been a bit of a talking horse over here with Ted Walsh (trainer) telling everyone its going to win,blah blah blah
It may well do but Wrong Turn has a feather weight and is 25/1 at present,most bookies paying 5 places
Best of luck
Sweet deal @ Kempton 3.25
Happy punting one and all!
Lads, naps on here today please !
Cheers, fleagle1888
Stickleback
Wetherby 1515.
Guys,
The Naps competition aside, I have information this horse is not without a chance.
14:35 Chepstow Welsh National
One In A Milan
Renard 3:10 Chepstow
Hola from lanzarote where the rain is as scarce as a content sevconian
Studfarmer 440 wolves carries today’s euro
Who Owns Me in 1.25 Chepstow
Mayfair music 2.50 kempton
Afternoon good fholks…….Bmcuwp picked my 1st (nae luck M)….I’ll go with
BARON ALCO 1.55 Chepstow…the name of this nag has no relevance to me whatsoever :O)
Good luck to all…except Bada.hh
Brownville 1.25 Chepstow
War Singer in the 3:25 at Kempton.
T4
French opera
weth 2.40
Off to Dublin in the green, Leopardstown tomorrow and Monday for the Lexus and Ryanair.
14:55 @ Leopardstown – Grand Jesture – NAP!
Good luck everybody.
Emperor’s Choice 2:35 Chepstow.
for me
hail hail
And a merry Christmas and a Happy new year to all
the Celtic Family.
Loose Chips 2.15 Kempton. Good luck everyone.