Celtic FC Foundation’s Glasgow Sleep Out will take place on Saturday, November 19 at Celtic Park and with very few spaces remaining, we spoke to Foundation supporter Joe McLay, who has signed up for this year’s event.

Joe has seen first-hand the great work of the Foundation and the difference it can make. He first got involved when he took part in two of our projects - Gateway to Health and Opportunity and Football Fans in Training. Since then he hasn’t looked back.

Following his participation in these projects, Joe has now been working for Celtic FC in the warehouse since 2019, and has been clean and sober for four years and four months.

Speaking of his experience, Joe said: “During my addiction I found myself homeless. To get myself on the straight and narrow and to aid my recovery I followed a 12-step fellowship programme with support from family and friends.

'The Foundation projects aided in this recovery and I feel like this is now the perfect time to give something back, by raising money for this incredible cause.'

The trio of Celtic Sleep Out events (in Glasgow, Donegal and London) are at the heart of our Christmas Appeal which, over the years, has supported a number of beneficiary charities working with the homeless community, among others.

The work that our charity partners do all year round, but especially over the festive period, is truly incredible and our donations to assist them can only happen with your support and the dedication of those participants who sign up for events such as our Sleep Outs.

Joe is looking forward to sleeping under the stars at Paradise and knows it will be a very different experience to those who will be facing the challenge of living on the streets this Christmas.

Joe continued: “I think it’ll be a surreal feeling and will bring back a lot of memories but I feel a great sense of gratitude that I can, in a small way, give back to the Foundation, and through the Appeal, a number of charities that helped me when I was on the streets.

"I think there’s something special and a power that radiates when a group of like-minded people come together for a cause and use that power for the greater good. I would urge anyone who can, to get involved.”

This year we have three Sleep Out events as part of our Christmas Appeal and registration details can be found below:

CELTIC SLEEP OUT, GLASGOW

Date – Saturday, November 19, 2022, 10.00pm-6.00am
Venue – Celtic Park
Registration – You can sign up HERE. Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions before completing the process.

CELTIC SLEEP OUT, DONEGAL

Date – Saturday, December 3, 2022, 10.00pm- 6.00am
Venue – GAA Club Naomh Muire
Registration – You can sign up HERE. Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions before completing the process.

CELTIC SLEEP OUT, LONDON

Date – Saturday, December 10, 2022, 9.00pm- 5.00am
Venue – St Anne’s Primary School, Whitechapel
Registration – You can sign up HERE. Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions before completing the process.

All funds raised from these events will support our 2022 Christmas Appeal, which reflects the very essence of why our club was set up back in 1887.

The Appeal will help to bring the magic of the festive season to children, families, pensioners, those in refuge, the homeless, refugees and others who are struggling at an especially challenging time of year.

So please follow in the footsteps of Brother Walfrid and help us make a difference to those most in need within our communities this Christmas.

Thank you so much for your wonderful support!

Foundation project participant gives back through the Celtic Sleep Out