As the Christmas Appeal phase of our Football for Good Fund (FFGF) comes to a climax, our spotlight series concludes today as we turn our attention to the work of another of our long-standing partners - and our final 2021 beneficiary - Simon Community Scotland.

Working to combat the causes and effects of homelessness across the country, Simon Community Scotland provides relief and respite for vulnerable individuals most at risk from conditions of a life on the streets.

With a history dating back almost 60 years and founded originally in London before branching out to Scotland a few years later, Simon Community has continued to work alongside local authorities to find solutions for an increasing number of people experiencing homelessness.

For many years, Celtic FC Foundation has traditionally provided a Christmas lunch for Simon Community Scotland’s service users.

However, in this current climate and working closely in partnership with the service, our support has been adapted this year to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our intended guests, whilst also ensuring vital input over the festive season.

For the 120 special guests who would have attended our traditional festive lunch, we have provided gifts in the form of vouchers. In addition, our donation will ensure Christmas dinners and gifts for 47 individuals at five supported accommodation sites across Glasgow, plus a contribution towards the provision of Christmas food and gifts at the Access Hub to 100-125 people, who would otherwise receive nothing.

Murray Easton, Head of Fundraising, Simon Community Scotland, said: "Thank you so much to everyone at Celtic FC Foundation for their kind and generous donation that will really help us provide care and support to people experiencing homelessness across Glasgow this Christmas.

'The support Simon Community Scotland has received from the Foundation through the years has been remarkable, helping us progress as a charity, while lunches at the stadium have really helped to put a smile on the faces of people we support.'

“This donation will go a long way, helping fund our Christmas Dinner and gifts/care packs across our supported accommodation sites and Access Hub in Glasgow. Thank you, your donation and care will make a real difference to the people we support.”

Simon Community Scotland are the final Appeal beneficiary to be confirmed, joining Ottawa Mission, Help the Homeless Glasgow, Homeless at Christmas, Glasgow’s Number 1 Baby and Family Support Service, Elpis Centre, Hope Kitchen Oban, Ballymote SVDP, Newcastle West End Foodbank, 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 Dublin and Women’s Aid Belfast and Lisburn.

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

Thank you for your magnificent support.

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

Foundation Christmas Appeal spotlight – Simon Community Scotland