As we look ahead to Sunday’s SPFL clash with St. Johnstone, there will be a special focus on the Christmas Appeal phase of Celtic FC Foundation’s Football for Good Fund.

Thanks to the incredible support and generosity of club sponsors Dafabet and Magners, the team will be proudly sporting the Appeal logo on the Hoops during the match.

A selection of these shirts - as well as some of those from Thursday’s match with AC Milan, which featured the Foundation logo - will be auctioned next week via Celtic FC Foundation’s eBay account. Watch out for more information coming soon.

One of the Christmas Appeal logo shirts from Sunday’s match will also be kept aside for a free prize draw – and everyone who contributes to this year’s Appeal will be in with a chance of winning it.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s match, John Cruces, Head of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship at Dafabet said:

'As always, we’re very proud to support the Foundation and the fantastic work they continue to do. The Christmas Appeal has helped so many families over the years and given the effects of the pandemic this year, it bears even more significance.'

Celtic FC Foundation are extremely grateful for the continued support received from our friends at Dafabet and Magners and Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton expressed his gratitude, saying: “We rely heavily on a lot of moving parts to do the things we’re doing. The Club’s official partners have always been there for us to offer their support, because they recognise what we’re doing is to help people in our communities who need it the most.

“Our sincere thanks to them and to everyone, especially the Celtic supporters across the world, who have stepped up and got behind our efforts throughout the year – as they always do – to help us bring relief to many people, who otherwise would be in an even worse situation.”

Ordinarily as part of the Appeal, the Foundation would also host a bucket collection at Celtic Park in the lead-up to a home match. Unfortunately, with fans currently unable to attend, this won’t be possible this year.

However, as the crippling effects of the pandemic have added unbearably to the pressures on so many, the assistance provided by Celtic FC Foundation to those who are most vulnerable is now more crucial than ever before.

Therefore, this year’s Christmas bucket collection has gone virtual and we are humbly asking those supporters who’re in a position to do so, to make a donation in support of the Appeal. The collection will take place from now and will run throughout the day on Sunday and proceeds will help bring the magic of Christmas to those most in need. You can donate now HERE

And the Christmas Appeal theme doesn’t stop there, as the Pass to Paradise matchday broadcast will also focus on the Appeal, as special video pieces will highlight the difference your support has made to beneficiaries in previous years. These will feature both pre-match and at half-time. There will also be information on how to get involved in the various initiatives going on between now and Christmas.

The Christmas Appeal phase of the FFGF began on November 6, 133 years after the formation of Celtic Football Club and once again, the Club kicked off the campaign with a wonderful donation of £10,000.

Through the Appeal, we want to help hundreds of local families, giving them the kind of Christmas most of us take for granted. With lots of food on the table and gifts for the kids. Making sure Santa pays a visit on Christmas Eve, despite COVID-19.

We also want to support pensioners on our doorstep, by lending a hand at a difficult time of year. Local charities need our help too. We can make a massive difference to the lives of children, the homeless, refugees and those who are in need, facing a range of other challenges.

Further details on the Christmas Appeal phase of the Football for Good Fund and how you can get involved, can be found HERE

The generosity and compassion of the Celtic Family is truly unique and unrivalled and we thank you for your magnificent support.

Foundation Christmas Appeal logo on Celtic shirts this Sunday