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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Heskey – Bolton ?
NL /MON
YIP
Wonderful article, Paul and respect to you and all the guys who put in so much effort to make this such an outstanding blog.
Best wishes to all posters and lurkers on here and I hope you, your families and friends have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year.
And of course, the same to all at our wonderful Club
HH
Turkeybhoy 19:14
I didn’t mention Peter Lawwell.
Ashley would have them running on a sustainable basis. This wouldn’t suit the SFA as they want a strong Rangers (sic) and this can only happen with a sugar daddy.
The two things could be completely unrelated, but…..
Dear Santa,
Did you get my letter, no, that’s ok i have it on good authority that you’re a regular reader of CQN. So, just to reiterate:
I would like open & honest governance of our leagues with the SFA full of people with integrity who will do their jobs with the best interests of the whole of Scottish football as their mantra.
I would like the board of Celtic FC plc to grow a voice & pair of balls and issue statements that are not just about the bottom-line, but on issues that concern & affect the supporters.
I would like you to effect an administration/liquidation event of Sevco in the near future to keep us all smiling.
If, however, you can’t deliver on any of the above, can you get RD the players he needs to improve the team, in the January window, so that we can get the TREBLE.
Thanks in advance.
CQN’rs are a credit to the human race.
A very Merry Christmas to all Tims everywhere.
H.H. & KTF
Nye Bevans’ rebel soldier
Your Agony Aunt service is supposed to be confidential……. matey.
coatdykebhoy
19:11 on 24 December, 2014
I knew Nichael well, he used to travel on the Bus I ran back in the day, Whifflet St. Mary’s Coatbridge CSC after John McNee left Club.
I did a lot of drinking in Peter’s who I also knew well. Probably know you.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
A very Happy and Holy Christmas,to Paul and his family,everyone on CQN and their families.
Hail Hail
coatdykebhoy
19:19 on 24 December, 2014
If you have lurked you will know part of the initiation is to ask the question. Used to drink in Owens as well, back in the good old days before it had a makeover.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
BCW……there are no secrets on here,were family.
A very happy Christmas to all Tims worldwide.Lets hope for great success for our beloved team in 2015.
ENJOY tomorrow.
GlassTwoThirdsFull
That too was my first thought when I heard of the SFA’s decision. Absolutely nothing to do with PL or Celtic and with that mob’s track record nothing would surprise me.
Well done and Merry Christmas to every Celtic fan everywhere?
Hail hail
hey all, could someone please re-post the lyrics to ‘Crisis time’
in the kitchen with mountains of veggies to prepare and this would be great
god bless all @ CQN
The SFA decision today is interesting one. It’s akin to a heart surgeon taking out the old heart and before putting in the new one. Saying naw ye canny have it. I believe it to suit all the members of the SFA board at this juncture. Long way to go on this one.
A bidding war for the carcass is more likely to happen unless Cashley csn keep the sideshow on the road.
HH
til later all
Hail Hail
Ahh. . . Bigoni’s.
Love the pizzas there!
Best wishes to all and everyone on CQN. Special thanks to Paul for providing this forum for disparate views on all things Celtic. Your leader today on the charitable ethos really hit home.
For all of you spending Christmas alone – be strong and take your mind off the loneliness by doing something positive.
Goodnight Timland.
Need to run, pressie’s to be wrapped.
Coatdykebhoy keep posting but if you are from the dark side this place will annoy you, far too many good things in this blog far outweighs the bad, Paul67, my good lady supported that mob that liquidated and now follows Sevco or Sports Direct FC or whatever they are called in the future, I asked her to read your opener today about the kids in Malawi, please have a wee moment to yourself over this festive period and please enjoy what you have created, as I said before the good is 98% the rubbish 2% if that, anyway every single person have a great Christmas, rioll on Friday when we can argue about Ronny & the Bhoys, take care & Hail Hail
PAUL67 – A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Your work is brilliant (I don’t always agree – but 90% we are on the same page)
A special mention to Mrs Paul67 and your children – your time producing CQN will be time away from your near and dear – you are blessed to have their understanding – we are also blessed
Happy Christmas to one and all – including the ones that have an alternative view to myself – we are all one family
67ECW
Nollaig Shona agus bliain ur mhaith daoibh uilig.
(Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all).
Prayers said for the intentions of all but particularly for the Kane family and those dead and injured in the Glasgow tragedy.
Well done for all of the charitable efforts over this and every year. Three kitchens truly a remarkable feat and only one amongst many.
Truly
Is mo na cumann e.(more than just a club)
HH
bsr,
ta.
my favorte bit –
De forma despectiva, los llaman ‘zombies’ por ser muertos vivientes o “Sevco”, pues Sevco es el nombre en los registros de la sociedad del empresario Charles Green que en 2012 compró los derechos, escudo y símbolos del club difunto
Horrid Henry,
:oD)))) thank you, that’s one of the funniest posts on the blog this year :oD))))
Merry Christmass everyone
turkeybhoy
As far as I know, clubs sign up to the rules of their federation and forego the freedom to sue the federation if they don’t like their decision. A condition of entry to their wee gang.
Hence the Court of Arbitration in Sport as the final arbiter on fitba issues.
HH
In case the wrapping overcomes me. Two things:
1.Paul,what an inspiring opening article,really cheered me up.
2.May I wish everyone a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a 3 pointer on Sat.
HH
del empresario Charles Green
escudo y símbolos del club difunto
scorchio
#Neil Cana…whatever –
You obviously have some kind of sense of humour – but do you have any real pragmatic proposals?
There WILL always be some kind of “Rangers” – and to deny this fact is being an ostrich, like many others on here.
We stand up for ourselves – but we don’t pretend to be King Canute.
rwe,
Remind us who the last club to break that rule and their punishment :oD)))) rules :oD))))
Paul67 wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas.
Your blog has brought together a community of amazing people whom have shown me how amazing our support are …
Reading today’s blog has put a massive smile on my face ….
Thanks Paul
gerryfaethebrig,
ill keep posting alright , thats the thing i noticed when i moved to coatbridge , people are desperate to know all about you , questions ! questions ! and if you dont get answers….. you must be a hun ! lol anyone who really knows me would tell you that couldnt be further from the truth !
Off to Mass,
Happy and Holy Christmas to you all.
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
proud to be part of the celtic family:
It’s Crisis time, and there’s no chance of being paid.
It’s Crisis time, our football’s crap, we’re getting sleighed.
And in this world of Ashley’s we wear our brogues with joy
Throw your arms around sevco, this Crisis time.
But say a prayer, pray for the deid heid huns.
At Crisis time, it’s hard, but when there is no fun.
There’s a Tim outside your window, and it’s a Tim with flags and beer.
Where the only joy you’re getting, is knock-off Ashley gear.
And the Crisis bells are ringing, around the dome of doom.
Well tonight that god they’re huns, and they’re not you.
And there won’t be cash at Ibrox Park this Crisis time,
The greatest gift they’ll get this time is loans,
Where nothings ever paid, no bills or so it’s said,
Do they know its Crisis time at all.
Mock the hun,
Let them know its Crisis time
Mock the hun,
Let them know its Crisis time again.
Here’s to you, laughed and jeered by everyone
Here’s to them, bigotry at every turn
Do they know its Crisis time at all.
Mock the hun,
Let them know its Crisis time
Mock the hun,
Let them know its Crisis time again.
Mock the hun,
Let them know its Crisis time
Mock the hun,
Let them know its Crisis time again.
:_))
Just back in from a lovely mass all the children in the Church were hyper it was nice to see.Settled now with a nice cup of tea Best wishes for a merry Christmas to all on CQN and your families.H.H.
Back from a lovely Mass in St Agnes Lambhill and having quiet meal with Mrs HJ.
Started will Coquille Saint Jacques and Mediterranean fish to come. Mrs HJ should be on MasterChef.
Talking of MasteChef my dog Max passes his congratulations to Scottish chef Jamie Scott who works at Rocca restaurant in the Russacks hotel in St. Andrews. Max is frequent visitor and totally approves of the sausage and bacon which he gets at breakfast.
Many thanks to Paul and all who contribute here.
CQN 11 will be another great night.
Sretan Bozic I Sretna Nova Godina
Oh the weather outside is fright’ning….
Would just like to wish a Happy Christmas to all at CQN…special shout out to KOJO..SFTB…NEGANNON2 and HAMILTONTIM….we have disagreed on occasion…may i wish everything for your familys that i wish for mine…CFC…ours……