Through the Christmas Appeal phase of the Football for Good Fund (FFGF), Celtic FC Foundation will provide donations to a number of charity partners, supporting those most in need within our communities this Christmas. Our support will stretch far and wide with beneficiary partners in Scotland, Ireland, England and even further afield.

Today, through our spotlight series, we turn our attention to another three of our charity partners – Hope Kitchen Oban, Ballymote Saint Vincent de Paul (SVDP) and Newcastle West End Foodbank.

Based in Oban, Hope Kitchen is an organisation which provides food, shelter and companionship to vulnerable and marginalised people in Oban, Lorn and the Isles. It has previously received support through last year’s Appeal and the FFGF and a donation this Christmas will help the organisation to give out festive meals and hampers to those most in need.

Catriona Petit of Hope Kitchen spoke of the support provided, saying: “Over the Christmas season we help over 400 people with Christmas hampers which include gifts, Christmas food and other essential items. For many of the people we support, this is a lifeline. The donation will allow us to buy food for the hampers so we know that all our families and individuals will have enough to get through Christmas and enjoy some treats as well. We are so grateful for the ongoing help provided. Even though we are a long way from Celtic Park, it’s good to know that we are not forgotten. Thank you to Celtic FC Foundation for your support of our community.”

Ballymote SVDP is a voluntary organisation in Ballymote, County Sligo, which provides housing for some of the most isolated elderly or disabled residents within the community, as well as offering support to local families who are facing financial struggles.

Ballymote is, of course, the birthplace of our founding father, Brother Walfrid and was the location for our inaugural Sleep Out in Ireland, on November 6. The event raised a phenomenal total in the region of £16K, which is being donated to Ballymote SVDP and our other Irish beneficiary partners – Women’s Aid Dublin and Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn.

Miriam Finn of Ballymote SVDP expressed her gratitude, saying: “We would like to thank Celtic FC Foundation for their very generous contribution. We have 36 houses here in Ballymote which are occupied by elderly or disabled residents. Many of our tenants have moved into our houses from rural, isolated areas where they could no longer continue to live independently. Through this donation, we will be able to distribute Christmas dinners to those who may otherwise feel socially isolated. We will also be able to provide food and fuel vouchers to the elderly and families who find themselves in difficulty, especially at this time of year. Your donation will allow us to continue to help people in our local community, thank you.”

Newcastle West End Foodbank operates a total of six food distribution centres, providing a citywide network for people living in poverty and affected by food insecurity. Throughout the pandemic the Foodbank has seen an increase in demand due to the worsening socio-economic situation. With the winter months now upon us, the need for continued donations is evident, as many people within the local community struggle with the financial demands of the festive period.

John McCorry of Newcastle West End Foodbank, shared his thanks for the support received, saying: “We are so grateful for the donations received by Celtic FC Foundation previously during the pandemic and for the further support through the Christmas Appeal. This is a vital resource which enables Newcastle West End Foodbank to fulfil its objectives and support people who are struggling to make ends meet. Thank you.”

Your donations allow us to support organisations such as Hope Kitchen Oban, Ballymote SVDP and Newcastle West End Foodbank, to help them continue their vital work.

Our latest Appeal beneficiaries join Scottish Refugee Council, Refugee Survival Trust, Glasgow Women’s Aid, Glasgow East Women’s Aid, The Wayside Club, Refuweegee, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, The Cardinal Hume Centre, Borderline, Bow Foodbank, St Anne’s Primary School, St Anne’s Church, Loaves and Fishes, Spirit Aid, the Salvation Army, Safe in Scotland, Glasgow City Mission, PEEK, St Roch’s FC Foundation, The Invisibles, Woman’s Aid in Dublin and Women’s Aid Belfast and Lisburn, as those confirmed thus far.

Through the Appeal we want to give hundreds of families in our communities the Christmas they deserve, making sure there’s food on the table and gifts under the tree.

We also wish to help pensioners, women and children in refuge, the homeless community and refugees – as well as a whole host of others facing poverty and hardship.

Charity, and the generosity and compassion of the Celtic Family, will always be our past, present and future – it’s our heritage, our responsibility, our lifeblood.

Please join Celtic FC Foundation in making a difference this Christmas – it’s our reason for being.

The key ways to get behind the Christmas Appeal 2021, include:

Donate by text – text ‘CELTIC’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70085*
Donate online HERE
Donate via PayPal HERE
Donate via Facebook HERE
Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores
Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow G40 3RE.
Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live and AmazonSmile HERE
Purchase our brand new Foundation T-shirt HERE
Download Eddi Reader’s unique version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, featured in this year’s Celtic Christmas advert HERE
Enter our new Christmas Appeal Prize Draw HERE

Thank you for your magnificent support.

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

Foundation Appeal Spotlight – Hope Kitchen Oban, Ballymote SVDP and Newcastle West End Foodbank