AS we look ahead to this Sunday’s annual Christmas Appeal Bucket Collection, we now focus on another of the charity beneficiaries, who will benefit from the funds raised through this year’s appeal.

Glasgow's No.1 Baby and Family Support Service, or GN1BFSS in short, will receive support for the first time through our appeal, following the success of the campaign thus far.

It is a unique service operating in Glasgow to meet the needs of people living in financial hardship or working poverty. The organisation aims to fill any gaps in services which are currently not available from other agencies throughout the city, while removing the obstacles that people come up against, when trying to seek support.

GN1BFSS provide families with top quality, everyday items such as clothing, footwear, baby essentials and household goods, allowing any household funds to be spent on vital necessities, such as food and bills.

Each Christmas GN1BFSS allocates bespoke Christmas packs to the children they work with, consisting of five toys and a warm jacket. Each pack contains something the child needs, something they would like, something educational, something they can play with alone and something they can engage in with their family. Much time and thought goes into the process to ensure that each child will cherish and enjoy their pack.

The donation received through Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal will help Glasgow's No.1 Baby and Family Support Service to source the items required to fulfil their packs.

Audrey Dempsey, Service Manager at GN1BFSS spoke of the importance of this vital support, saying: "Receiving over 700 referrals for children in need of a Christmas pack this year was a huge responsibility for us but the fantastic support from Celtic FC Foundation has lightened that load.

“It will allow us now to purchase toys and gifts to ensure these children can carry happy memories of Christmas Day through their lives with them.

“The support is invaluable. Glasgow's No.1 Baby and Family Support Service, along with the children we assist, will be forever thankful."

Glasgow's No.1 Baby and Family Support Service joins a host of organisations already confirmed as this year’s appeal beneficiaries, including Loaves and Fishes, The Invisibles, Glasgow East Women’s Aid, St Roch’s FC Foundation, Elpis Centre, the Salvation Army Parkhead, St Anne’s Primary School, St Anne’s Church, the Cardinal Hume Centre, Simon Community Scotland, Spirit Aid, Glasgow Night Shelter, Women’s Aid Dublin, Women’s Aid Belfast and Lisburn, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and Scottish Refugee Council.

Our Appeal aims to honour the founding principles set out when the Ccub was formed back in 1887, by continuing to help those in our community, who are most in need. We want to help hundreds of local families facing poverty by giving them the kind of Christmas most of us take for granted.

We also want to support pensioners on our doorstep and help out local charities. We can make a massive difference to the lives of children, the homeless, refugees and those living in refuge or facing other challenges.

To get behind the Christmas Appeal 2019, you can:

1. Donate by Text – text ‘CELTIC’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70085*

2. Donate Online

3. Donate via PayPal – www.CelticChristmasAppeal.com

4. Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores

5. Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow G40 3RE.

6. Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live and Amazon Smile – http://www.celticfc.net/news/17086

7. Support our match-day bucket collection on Sunday, December 15 – http://www.celticfc.net/news/17171

8. Purchase the original song from this year’s Celtic Christmas advert, ‘Star Of Glasgow's Green & White’ HERE. Proceeds will support our 2019 Appeal.

Thank you for your magnificent support.

*Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard rate message.

Appeal beneficiary: Glasgow’s No.1 Baby and Family Support Service