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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CFC foundation
http://www.celticfc.net/news/7354
Ps nearly £10grand collected in the buckets before the St Mirren game
Well done to each and every one of the Celtic family.
We are a bit special ye know :)))))
Till later all
fanadpatriot. A happy Christmas to you and your family and friends.H.H.
joe filippis haircut
And a merry Christmas to you and yours too.
leftclicktic
14:08 on 24 December, 2014
Did you no see my post ya big daftie…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Paul67
CQN performed astoundingly wonderful deeds in 2014. Sincerest good wishes over this Christmas season to everyone involved.
Don’t blame us if we ever doubt you,
you know we could’t live without you,
Celtic, you are the only, only, oh-only
———————————————————————————————————-
Also, noticed the SFA Board decision was unanimous. Could someone remember to untie Ogilvie and let him out of the cupboard, before Thursday?
joe filippis haircut
14:08 on 24 December, 2014
If Mike Ashley becomes the biggest creditor at Ibrox does he really need to have the shares as he would virtually control The Rangers anyway ? H.H.
He more or less is right now the only show in town, could run a wee while this one as some one said , round one.
GuyFawesaforeverhero. A merry Christmas to you and your family and friends. H.H.
TomMcL
If your lurking
Prayer for yer maw
Take care
TD67. I dont see this as the end for them I think it is all down to what Mike Ahley decides to do in my opinion. H.H.
Lennybhoy
14:26 on 24 December, 2014
Aye that why I rewished his mam a Hoopy birthday and no him :))))
See you Sat
Hoops -4 :))))
Not on much at all these days but would just like to say well done Paul you must be a proud man to have started something that has helped people all over the world with the charitable work that you and a lot of other guys have done throughout the years. It is great to see all those smiling faces and the signs that mention CQN. Hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year.
Back to lurking.
joe filippis haircut
It’s a strange one, it’s not the kind of business you would want to be doing on Christmas eve.
Very very strange.
Great article Paul. There’s always more that unites us than divides us
Best wishes to all on CQN at Christmas time.
TGSC,
Sailing On….
Cadizzy
Si estas acechando, Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo
And the same tae the restaeyeez!
HH!
3mick3. A merry Christmas to you and your family and friends. H.H.
On here we were told the SFA would allow Ashley to increase his stake in Zombies to 29.9% because they don’t apply the rules when it comes to them.
On FF the brains trust there said the SFA would allow Ashley to increase his stakes as they were anti Rangers and Ashley was a bad thing for them.
The opposite has happened and now on here we have surprised delight that the SFA have adhered to their rules, whilst over on the dark side they are treating the SFA’s decision as a victory.
What am I missing here?
What happens next?
The Goodship Celtica. A merry Christmas to you and your family and friends.H.H.
I am blessed with what CQN has brought to my life.
Wishing each and every one of you a happy, holy and peaceful Christmas.
Happy Christmas CQN
beatbhoy. A merry Christmas to you and your family and friends. H.H.
Cheers Joe
HH
Turkeybhoy
14:37 on
24 December, 2014
The Green Man,
I do not think it was excuse making or posturing by PL when he claimed the fear of a hun backlash of violence.Without Celtic coming out and decrying them,Hun media is already awash with threats of violence at the semi finalYears of pent up bigotry and impotence to get back at us are at boiling point.
We have seen in the not too distant past,Murders,Bombs,bullets,assaults,threats,being effected on the Celtic support and employees of the club.Would you be happy if Celtic issued a statement,worthless,except to yourself and the other fans,who rightly feel indignant,and with this statement appeased you all,if in doing so it caused any violence,or God forbid,the death of any Celtic fan?.
Its all very well sitting at a keyboard issuing demands to the board.Never think for a second their could be dire consequences.We are not dealing with normal people here,as we have witnessed.You know it,we all know it.
minx188. A merry Christmas to you and your family and friends. H.H.
TICTAEWIN
In my first job,1986,I had a huge argument in a meeting wi my smug arrogant got of an Area Manager after he referred to 10p as a “throwaway coin”. It isn’t when you cannot afford it,as many of our customers couldn’t.
For someone to then describe twenty pounds in the way you have is shocking,similar to the idea that Cambell Ogilvie’s £95,000 was only a good night out.
And if you are happy to pay a score for a taxi,there are a few gents on here who would love to meet you. Regularly!
Oooops, the board are very disappointed pphhhfffftttt
Dec 24, 2014 13:23 By Record Sport Online
GOVERNING body unanimously rejects Newcastle United owner’s proposals for Ibrox club.
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Getty/Stu ForsterMike Ashley
THE Scottish Football Association has rejected a request from Rangers to allow Mike Ashley to increase his shareholding to a maximum of 29.9 per cent, the governing body has announced.
Rangers chief executive Derek Llambias attended a meeting at Hampden yesterday to set out Ashley’s blueprint for the future of the Ibrox club where they were asked to detail the business plan and strategy behind any future investment from the Newcastle United owner.
SNS GroupDavid Somers and chief executive Derek Llambias
A statement released today on the SFA’s official website read:
“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.
SNSRangers Chairman David SomersRangers chairman David Somers
The talks were held a day after Rangers chairman David Somers claimed that a “great deal of anti-Rangers feeling” exists within Scottish football, “perhaps (although I hope not) even in the football establishment”.
Leaked David Somers email shows Rangers chairman feared axe if Mike Ashley lost power struggle
Ashley and the club now face a hearing on January 27 which will determined whether the Sports Direct founder’s dual interests breached SFA rules and their agreement.
Although his current stake in the club stands at 8.92 per cent, the club’s retail division is run by Sports Direct and the Newcastle owner has recently handed the club a £3million loan.
Derek Llambias – the former Newcastle managing director and close associate of Ashley – was recently named Rangers chief executive after earlier joining as a consultant and then being made director.
Sports Direct executive Barry Leach also joined as a consultant and was on the stage at the club’s annual general meeting on Monday.
Rangers reacted to this decision by releasing a response on their official website that said: “The board of Rangers Football Club are very disappointed with the SFA’s decision and we will now consider all our options.”
Paul 67
Great work done by the fundraisers throughout the year, as the frontman you deserve a lot of credit for providing the focus [CQN] to pull this together, there will never be a shortage of worthy causes so the work will need to go on, and I’m certain it will.
Hope everyone has a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year
Option 1 – dead
Option 2 -deader
Watching born survivor with ole Bear Grylls..
orcs should have tried to contact him rather than SFA…
Turkeybhoy. In my memory which is longer than I care to admit the huns were always into violence.I dont see a statement from the Celtic board to there own supporters would make the huns any better or any worse.I do think at Februarys game there is a potential for violence but that was always the case. H.H.
dessybhoy. A happy new year to you and your family and friends. H.H.
It’s a sad fact that this time of year leads to a gamut of unrestrained gluttony by those with little self-control,and who frankly just get carried away with the occasion.
So,if it’s ok with y’all,my advice is…
Don’t eat all the jelly and ice-cream tomorrow,we may need some soon.
turkeybhoy
nail on the head.
tictaewin
13:52 on 24 December, 2014
Tell that wee story to the people visiting the food banks or lying in door ways mate they’ll love it
Joe filippis haircut
Muchisimas gracias, Jose!
Christmas festivities about to start, daughter singing in choir for kids mass tonight, so just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
itssantatimeCSC
I really try hard not to make forecasts,about anything really.Scores,team selections etc.To do so invariably makes you look a bit stupid when the opposite happens,and you have to don a sheepish expression to all you have forecast to.
I think there should be a few sheepish expressions on here today with the news that the SFA have refused Ashley his shares.
Only for today,mind you.Next time you could be bang on.
We will start organising tickets etc for CQN ELEVEN next week – just reservations at this stage.
Don’t forget that the League Cup Final on the Sunday so it should be quite a weekend!
Thoughts at Christmas too for Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell who is still in hospital and is very poorly indeed.
jfh
Cheers mate , and to you
owen. A merry Christmas to you and your family and friends. H.H.