As we look ahead to the Celtic Sleep Out, Glasgow taking place this Saturday at Celtic Park - which will see over 100 supporters braving the cold conditions in support of our Christmas Appeal - we turn our attention once again to the charities who will benefit from the generous donations made by the Celtic support, as well as funds raised at events such as the Sleep Out.

Through the Appeal, we are aiming to assist a number of incredible beneficiary partner organisations who support families, pensioners, women and children in refuge, the homeless community and refugees – as well as a whole host of others facing poverty and hardship.

Among those we are aiming to support this year, are a host of organisations that provide much needed assistance to members of the homeless community – Elpis Centre, Glasgow City Mission, Help the Homeless, Homeless at Christmas, Hope Kitchen Oban, Simon Community Scotland, The Invisibles and The Wayside Club.

These amazing charities collectively provide a range of services to make life that little bit more comfortable for those experiencing or facing homelessness in Glasgow and beyond, including the provision of hot food and drinks, warm clothing, toiletries and essentials and temporary accommodation, as well as advocacy and advice.

As temperatures drop and weather conditions worsen, the winter period can often be the most dangerous time of year for those who are facing homelessness and the capacity of many organisations that provide such support, can become extremely stretched.

However, thanks to the backing of the Celtic support in the past, Celtic FC Foundation have been able to make contributions to each of these partners, to assist with their vital work throughout the festive period.

We heard from some of them on the impact that previous support has made.

Simon Noble of Glasgow City Mission said: “Christmas can be a particularly lonely and isolating time for our guests. The generous donations we have received from Celtic FC Foundation have enabled men and women in Glasgow, affected by poverty, to receive nutritious meals over the festive period.

'Providing quality food and spending time with our guests helps us build relationships and lets our guests know that they are valued.'

“From here, we can connect them with our other services, such as help to access rehab, advocacy and employability support. We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supports the Foundation’s Appeal and for making such a tangible difference in the lives of the people we support.”

Coral McIntosh of Elpis Centre added: “With a combination of possible strained relationships, the rising cost of living, stress of paying all of the additional costs that the festive period usually brings, and a cold and dark Scottish winter, the festive period can be a really difficult time for the young women we support.

"That’s why donations from Celtic FC Foundation are so important. They allow our charity to support our young women further by lessening the pressures on them and brightening what can be an otherwise tricky time of year.

“It has allowed us to purchase warm winter coats and provide Christmas food hampers for all of the young women in the Centre, to help see them through the colder and damp months. The donations also allow us to provide experiences and excursions for the young women that they might not otherwise have, such as a Christmas panto or group outing to M&Ds.

'Elpis cannot express our gratitude enough for the support we have received from the Foundation.'

"Elpis means 'hope' and inspiring hope is always our overriding aim when supporting the young women that call Elpis Centre home. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us to do what we do best.”

Following Saturday’s Sleep Out event, participants will also have an opportunity to donate their sleeping bags and ground mats and these will be donated to two of our long-standing charity partners – The Invisibles and The Wayside Club – in addition to any financial support received through the Appeal.

Speaking of their gratitude for the help provided, Robert Ryan of the Invisibles said: “The Foundation have been fantastic supporters of The Invisibles virtually since our inception and we have always been grateful for any contributions we have received.

“The landscape is changing rapidly in Glasgow due to the grim financial conditions and fuel and food poverty will sadly have an impact on many. Christmas can be an extremely challenging time for many of the people we help.

"They can tend to distance and isolate themselves even more but through our partnerships, with the help from the Foundation and through community involvement, we hope that these people can also feel some joy over the festive period.

'To the amazing Celtic fans who keep up our Club’s wonderful ethos of looking out for one another and supporting the most vulnerable, we say a big thank you. We have truly seen how your donations can really help someone.'

Another of our homeless charity partners is Help the Homeless, and Helen McMillan spoke of the desperate need for assistance during such challenging times: “The cost of living crisis has had an impact on the level of homeless applications being made.

Many individuals, families and elderly people will be spending this Christmas in temporary accommodation. With the help of Celtic FC Foundation over the years, we have been able to support thousands of people with food and essentials, to ensure they can have the best possible Christmas, regardless of their housing circumstances.

“This year will be no different, and we simply could not do this without the Foundation and the assistance of their supporters. It really does make such a difference to people's lives and even more so due to the current economic crisis, people need help more than ever.”

You can hear more about the work of Help the Homeless in our latest Appeal beneficiary VT and read more about the partner organisations which will benefit from your support, via our Christmas Appeal webpage HERE.

Appeal donations will provide support to homeless community this Christmas