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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Paul 67
wonderful effort from all at cqn
-well for an informal meeting it had a formal request and a formal rejection
informal is the new formal don’t you know
Got a feeling a new ‘overseas ‘ investor will pop up at ibrox with say a £8m investment very soon…….
20 quid .
20 quid will buy you 20 Deady Bears .
Make it £21 .62 and that will give a homeless person warmth , food and a roof over their head on Christmas Day / Night .
Paul67,
Fantastic article!
The good work that has been carried out in others names and for the benefit of so many all because of a football blog is quite staggering.
I consider myself lucky and privileged to be a part of not just the Celtic Family, but also CQN.
Long may this “blog” continue!
Id just like to wish all of you on here and your Families a very Merry Christmas. Hope you have a fantastic time.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Paul, Don’t post much these days but after reading today’s post I had to let you know how grateful I am to you for starting this site and to all the bhoys on here who contributed in any way to the year as described by Paul.
Thoughts with Kano and family also, as well as everyone involved in the horrible events of Tuesday.
This site and everything it involves is what helps make our club what it is. It’s down to the support near and far who keep the charitable light burning.
Hail hail and Merry Christmas to you all.
The Token Tim. A merry Christmas to you and your family and friends. H.H.
bambi. A merry Christmas to you and your family and friends, H.H.
Not sure how much time I’ll get on here over the next few days (Aye , Right – Ed ) so i’d just like to take this opportunity to wish Paul and his family and all of CQN and the wider (not in size TTT , althoiugh you qualify) Celtic Family , a very happy , safe Christmas and an even better New Year .
On a personal note , Paul , thank you for giving us all the opportunity to contribute to various good causes and giving us somewhere to hide from ‘the better half’ (although what happens when Minx and HT fall-out , I dread to think).
Hail Hail and Ho Ho Ho to everyone
Sanna
Cognitive Dissonance – #237
Paul
Excellent lead , CQN is a wonderful community where I have met some amazing people, I would like to take the opportunity to wish each and everyone of you and your family a very merry and peaceful Christmas.
Bbc reporting of the SFA refusal of further Ashley involvement ignores the fact that the recent AGM saw the proposal for shares to be offered outside of current shareholders voted down. King can’t get in.
Ashley will do this through a proxy, maybe Easdales.
Paul67
A “feelgood” blog then feelgood news that SFA seem to be getting the message that they need to be seen to be adhering to the rules.
I thought some sort of conditions that could be verified would be set but given the level of mistrust in the SFA just saying Naw suggests SFA are starting to realise they are not powerless.
PS. It also suggests that ” the establishment” is pulling back on their level of cover.
Right folks merry Christmas and a happy peaceful prosperous trophy laden new year to all
And a merry Christmas and happy new year to any lurking Clive dunns looks like Santa might be bringing club no 3 down the chimney
Nearly forgot is ally giving quotes for landscaping yet, the ranch out the window doesn’t look great
Nollaig Shona diobh go leir
Great news Paul67 – another fantastic year for the CQN Community.
Keep up the good work.
Joe Filippis Haircut
I agree with you on the hun past.It does not take a great deal to take this violent nature they have,to raise it to another level.Neil Lennon being an example.The hatred on Hun media to PL,he is behind every thing that has befallen them,is raging.Todays judgement from the SFA will be at his orders,according to them.Their bile is at an all time high.
Just my opinion,but I would hate to think words could lead to a tragedy like we as a support have witnessed before.
Auldheid
Best Wishes & keep up the good work
Offski
I am astonished the huns will not contest this “Robustly”.
Along with “Quintessential”,this seems to be their “In”word at the moment.
20 quid is a lot of money for those who have been through an austerity nightmare or was it just attention seeking?
Is this the 1st SFA decision where a) the they’ve obeyed there own rules and b) PL was involved?
Could the two be linked?
mullet and co 2
15:11 on
24 December, 2014
Bbc reporting of the SFA refusal of further Ashley involvement ignores the fact that the recent AGM saw the proposal for shares to be offered outside of current shareholders voted down. King can’t get in.
Ashley will do this through a proxy, maybe Easdales.
Dont think its as simple as that.Every banned director of every company could do the same in theory.King could do it.
Off till tomorrow so again have as good a time as your circumstances allow , and special prayers and cyber hugs to those in the Celtic family who are in need of them whether you be in Coatbrige or Australia at this time.
This place has been the creator of so many memories and friendships for me since I found it so thank you ya bampots :))))))
leftclicktic
Merry Christmas my Big Pal…
Collectively The People are at the cognitive level of a child between two and seven years of age.
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/the-need-for-grown-up-thinking/#more-5530
So proud to be a Tim. A very merry Christmas and a Hoopy new year to all.
CQN 11? Feb 1st?
Count me in.
HH
There are some good people about and a fair number of them visit this website.
A happy and peaceful Christmas to all.
God bless.
Turkeybhoy
I agree that we should be very concerned about the upcoming sevco tie.
The hun, for the most part, are toothless tigers. They’ve organised marches, chip-ins and half baked demos and all have been pretty much damp squibs.
However as we know, they have a nasty minority who, as you put it, have bile levels at an all time high.
Manchester 08 and the George Square referendum victory rampage were examples of their capabilities.
I think plod will be quietly dreading Jan 31.
Does anyone think the powers that be at Celtic FC recognise or appreciate the fact that they are very lucky to have so many amazing people supporting the club ?
Hmmm, if the third rangers plan is the latest cunning plan from rangers minded men, we can expect no support for Ashley at SFA.
If it is the new plan we might hear some announcements about club histories and new clubs early in the next year and a lot less about relegations and ‘getting back’.
“Here’s a new club, more rangers than the last new club and more like the old club, rangers minded people should support us. …”
They could ditch the stadium costs and ‘legacy’ contacts while they’re at it
Wishing each and every one of you …
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS..
H H
Ghuys,
Getting near that time. I will be going to Mass this evening with Mrs. LB and LB Jnr. To give thanks and celebrate Christmas. We will think of those less fortunate than us , those that have gone before us and for those that will not have their love ones with them because they are from home or because they have gone to a better place.
A Happy and Holy Christmas to you all and your family and friends.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Have a peaceful Christmas everybody
One more sleep
http://youtu.be/j-_1-uJ6Ml4
HH
3mick3
Good to see you back on blog. Hope yourself and Mrs 3mick3 have a fine festive season. Hopefully a pint in what looks like an intriguing 2015?
HH
Merry Christmas everyone.
Thanks for all your efforts again this year P67 and supporting cast.
Aw ra best!
Off oot to Siracusa .4 30 radio news added these to Inter’ s shopping list – Milner and Paulinho.
Merry Christmas everybody !
Turkey bhoy, I was meaning that Ashley could boost his influence by simply upping his stake via another shareholder. The Eadales seem most likely.
marrakesh express
15:31 on 24 December, 2014
If there dreading the 31st January what they going to be like when it all kicks off on the day of the game (1st February) they should be more worried about that :-) HH