AS the Foundation continue to support those most in need in our communities, we turn our focus to another of the organisations to benefit through the Football for Good Fund - Project Wingman, recipient of a £9,000 donation.

Project Wingman consists of airline crew from across every UK airline set up to provide support to NHS frontline staff. Founded in direct response to the crisis, Project Wingman provides a space where NHS staff can unwind, de-compress and destress before, during and after hospital shifts.

The organisation draws on the fantastic and varied skills of flight and cabin crew, to support NHS frontline staff in a very personal and direct way.

James Bushe, Team Leader at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, spoke about the work of Project Wingman during the current coronavirus crisis. He said: "Furloughed, grounded, or made redundant by the COVID-19 crisis, we aircrew find ourselves in the unexpected circumstances of having the skills and time to help those most in need of a smile.

"Crew are all trained in human factors and how to communicate with colleagues who are in stressful situations and we fellow uniformed professionals understand what it is like to operate in a highly-disciplined, regulated and pressured environment.

"Whether it is talking to a cabin crew member about their travels, being handed a cup of tea and a snack by a pilot or being signposted to further support services, our uniformed and dedicated airline crew aim to put a smile on the faces of our NHS colleagues.”

James also thanked Celtic FC Foundation for the support received, saying: "At the peak of the crisis, due to the generosity of Celtic FC Foundation, we were able to provide hot meals to over 100 staff per day at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, many of whom had spent their shifts working in full PPE in COVID-19 intensive care wards.

"As a direct result of the continuing support we have received through the Football for Good Fund, we will now be able to provide tea and coffee making facilities for NHS staff until the end of the year.

"On behalf of the entire Project Wingman and Rest & Recuperation Hub Team here at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, we could not be more grateful for the opportunity that Celtic FC Foundation have afforded us.

"We have been able to bring teams from across the Glasgow Royal Infirmary together, nurture a culture of peer support and put smiles on the faces of hundreds of our NHS heroes. Thank You!”

Since the launch of the Fund and throughout the next six months or so, the Foundation have ensured and will continue to ensure food parcels, basic necessities, hot meals and other critical interventions are available to the growing number of people affected by the ruthlessness of COVID-19.

But we can’t do it alone.

To support the Football for Good Fund, you can:

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

2. Donate Online HERE

3. Donate via PayPal HERE

4. Donate via our Facebook page HERE or set up your own Facebook fundraiser

5. Donate in cash – there are collection boxes in Celtic stores

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

7. Sign up to regular giving through our Walfrid’s Wish initiative HERE

8. Sign up for The Walfrid Wander sponsored event HERE

9. Get involved in our unique #9IAR challenge HERE

10. Purchase our 9-in-a-row badge and Glittering Prize print HERE

11. Provide support through your online shopping via Give as you Live and Amazon Smile

12. Take part in our online auction – details comings soon!

13. Come up with your own fundraising idea and get in touch with us at cfcfoundation@celticfc.co.uk

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

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

Football for Good Fund Beneficiary: Project Wingman