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
A quite remarkable story. More power to you and CQN in 2015.
Looking forward to CQN 11 already.
Merry christmas to one and all, may it be a magical time.
And finally,come on you ‘sleeping bears’ time to rise from your slumber before Inter hit town.
HH
Twas the night before Christmas
…and Sevco went bust.
Paul67, great leader.
Wishing all a peaceful and safe festive season.
Merry Christmas to all.
Paul 67
Surely the SFA can’t be following the rule book?
What’s the catch?
Brilliant to see those wonderful kitchens in Malawi.
It is a good thing that u do sir.
Merry and peaceful Christmas to all CQNers wherever they may be.
Remembering Miki 67 and prayers for Kano.
Hail Hail
A wee early Xmas present from the SFA ….
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/an-early-christmas-from-the-sfa/
Off to Carol service then vigil Mass
Merry Christmas
From twitter
:))
Sevco news from our foreign correspondent (H/T colin) https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=2&nv=1&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.marcadorint.com/futbol-escoces/el-rangers-se-quema-en-el-infierno/&usg=ALkJrhh04ZTpUbR9JGYaXRLi3-5ffQWBLQ …
Merry Christmas to the worldwide Celtic family. A fantastic community of warm-hearted people.
Tictaewin at 13.52
What was that all about? You puzzled and/or offended many by your comments and I can’t see any humour or irony. Surely not just a shallow ‘loadsamoney’ bragfart? If we’re meant to be impressed we’re not.
If £20 really almost an insult to you could consider Marys Meals where it would feed a child for 18 months.
A great article, Paul. This blog you started has been the catalyst for so many positive deeds and has allowed so many people to make contacts and new friends as well as providing entertainment and an opportunity to chat about a range of matters on a daily basis. Thank you.
A very Happy Christmas to you Paul, your family and Celtic supporters everywhere.
Sir Paul.. Babe…..
How shall Ah Frame this?
Look.. Pal..
You TItled today’s Message..
like ..so..
“You Did This.”
Well.. Oan That… Ah agree ..tae.. Agree..
But.. Allow ME,, tae Add.. This..
“Sure .. It Wiz Soitinly correct fur YOU tae Pen that Title..
Howevahhhhhhhhhhhhhh…(Ye jist KNEW..that THAT wiz comin’?… Didnae Ye?)
Let me add This.. tae .. That..
But..
Tae Be Mair Accurate…
WE Did This.. Because…
YOU did THAT!
The…THAT… Being… whit You… a Guy called..Paul Brennan.. well….. DID!!!
A Guy ,who…. Wan Fine day.. sat doon at his Computer..n
Created a Blog.. No jist ANY Blog.. but the Best Damn, Celtic Blog..That Evah wiz..n.. Probably .. wull Nevah be Duplicated..
A Blog, that Hiz Grown In Stature like Topsy oan Speed!
A Blog, that has Evolved intae the Kinda Blog tae Which. ..well..Mother Teresa , wid Hiv Bin
Happy tae Append her Imprimatur.
Paul.. Kiddo….
“Ye Done Good!”
Ah’ve said THIS ,afore.. and..
Ah wull Say it, Again..
“Paul, there is a Place in Heaven.. jist waiting fur You..
Yes,pal… there soitenly is.
..n ..it’s… A Box Seat Tae..wi’ Full Amenities, Guaranteed
in The, Heavenly, Jock Stein Stand.. .”
Nice Chatting..
Noo.. Back tae the Slopes.. fur Me..
afore , Ah go..
Let Me wish You n yer beautiful Wife..Yer Children. .. Yer DAD N his Wife,n.. Kevin ,yer Neat Brother..
All..
A Very Merry Christmas n A Prosperous New Year..
n..
Ah wish ,the very Same..
tae..
Awe the Fine Contributors … tae this Hallowed Site..
As Well..
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
See ya.
Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all who post and lurk on this site.
I hope you all have a good one.
Hail hail.
Gary 67,
I assume that the ole Deady Bear support are putting two and two together and concluding (hoping) that this verdict will somehow open the door for King’s “investment”.
Not sure though that anyone on the current Ibrox board is going to make it easy for the Blue Sh*tes to get a foot-hold?
Christmas is now happening in Germany. I wish all of you , your family and friends a very merry Christmas. Proud to be part of the CQN community. Thanks Paul67 and your family. Who have to make Sacrifices for us all.
Hail Hail
Afternoon Timland from a cool and quiet hun free mountain valley.
Wishing everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
Great stuff Paul.
HH
KTF
Somos el Celtic
Paul thanks for that article and for the reassurance that the spirit of Brother Walfrid and those men at the table in St Mary’s Abercrombie Street still lives on. Thank you for your own contribution which keeps so many of us in touch with the great Celtic family around the world. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
To all CQNers everywhere, especially those like Kano and Tommy Gemmell who are ill, those who are alone at this time for whatever reason and for those who have experienced bereavement in their families and for the deceased, I will remember all at Midnight Mass this holy night.
Happy and peaceful Christmas to all of you out there.
Paul & all here
Have a Happy Christmas with those you love.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Celtic and “Rangers” represent 80% of Scottish football – what happens if, as some desire, the Ibrox mob go down and this time they are OUT! – That would be 40%
The SPFL would attract around 60,000 in total to all games with Celtic playing at home, and 30,000 in total with Celtic playing away.
These figures are on a par with the English Conference.
Long term there would be no sponsors and no television contract worth signing – maybe BBC Alba would step in (God forbid)
I want to see the Ibrox club held to account for ALL they have done – but I am also a realist.
Without the two ‘big beasts’ in Scotland, our beloved Celtic will ‘wither on the vine’ regardless how well we run our affairs.
Is this what we really want – to kill off almost half our game and our club to be reduced, because of others wrongdoings.
There must be another way.
BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU WISH FOR!
It’s Friday it’s five to five…………….it’s
Paul, all the moaners and groaners, the happy clappers, the shy ones and sly ones, the agents provocateurs, the pro-board and anti-bored and even the members of the CQN clique…I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas…
Christina Time:)))
Showtime !!
Just wanted to wish Paul 67 & everyone associated with CQN a very Merry Christma & healthy & happy New Year.
Careful not to overdose on the Jelly & Ice- cream. :)
HH!
“I’m going to put my neck on the line here and say, I think Charles Green and McCoist will lead Rangers to european glory in time!”
Darrell King
Horrid Henry
Don’t agree. I think that we will see a half decent challenge emerging from Hearts and possibly Aberdeen over the next couple of years and Scottidh football will find its true level.
We won’t go back to the Celtic and Hun “arms race” – who would want that?
The sport of football must be ran on fair and sporting principles anything else is a cop out. If maintaining the Old Firm is just about increasing income streams due to the bigot pound then no sane civilised person would accept it. Football gets away with a lot within society esoecially in Scotland and should never be considered as more important.
The lie that their is no alternative to a vibrant and fair sport within Scottish society is abhorrent. It is a pitiful excuse proffered by those that either need their bigot fix or profit handsomely from it.
HH
Ah…….. they’re all on here today.
Horrid Henry,
With respect, all of that is bollocks. Scottish football does not need a strong ‘rangers’. It does not need a strong Celtic. Fans have already started to return to clubs due to increased chances of silverware and European participation. It will take time but The game, and other clubs, will grow.
We are a population of 5 million. We can only be as good as we can be. And history has shown us we can be pretty damn good.
TGSC,
Sailing On….
We are a population of around 5 million
bournesouprecipe
He was half right Ole Big Hauns is glorying in his new life on the continent:)))
BSR
That’s why Dawell now sells flowers :)
HH
Horrid Henry
They died, mate we’ve moved on, so have the other clubs.
There may or may not be forty thousand bears looking for a team to support, but the funny thing is, Sevco ain’t it.
Paul
I wish you and everyone else in the CQN community, be they bloggers, lurkers, bucketeers, music/film buffs, fund raisers, jokers, politicians or just plain CELTIC fans, a Happy and peaceful Christmas.
HH and KTF
starry
un château nous effronté en France
TET
Poppies?
I forgot to mention the tipsters and golfers but perhaps I covered them under “jokers”.
Do people realise Michael Buble isn’t just for Christmas?
Merry Christmes to ALL in here.
Like all families we have good times and bad times, nasty words and kind words.
We are AlL Celtic Supporters and I hope we are all faithful through and through.
Thank to Paul for all his good work. Grateful to be able to use your sight every day. Best wishes to you and your family.
Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right
Here I am stuck in the Lidl with you
© BognorBhoy