Later this evening (Friday), the first of three Celtic Sleep Out events this festive season will take place, as around 25 participants will battle the elements overnight as part of our Irish edition in County Carlow.

The event will be our fifth Sleep Out in Ireland, following the phenomenal success of our previous events in Sligo, Donegal, Derry and Bray in recent years.

We are looking forward to welcoming supporters from across Ireland, including our friends at The Association of Irish Celtic Supporters’ Clubs, as well a number of representatives from supporters’ clubs in Carlow and the surrounding counties, including Croppy Bhoys CSC Carlow, Laois CSC, Cill Droichead Bhoys CSC Kildare, North Kildare CSC and Kildare South CSC.

The event will take place at ‘The Meadows’ in County Carlow – home to St Patrick’s AFC in Graiguecullen, who have very generously offered to host us this year. The ground is a hugely important facility within the area, with St. Patrick’s placing a strong focus on grassroots football and local community.

We offer special thanks to everyone at St Patrick’s AFC, in addition to all of the aforementioned supporters’ clubs and the Association, whose unwavering generosity, advice and assistance have been instrumental in the organisation of the event.

And, of course, we thank all of our Sleep Out participants for their incredible efforts and also all of those who have very kindly supported them so far.

With fundraising ongoing, there’s still time to support the Irish Sleep Out team by making a donation HERE.

The event will play a vital role in helping to deliver this year’s Christmas Appeal and every penny raised on the night will provide support directly in Ireland, including three key beneficiaries – Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn, Women’s Aid Dublin and a local beneficiary in County Carlow, St Clare’s Hospitality Kitchen, who provide meals and support to the most vulnerable within their community.

We heard from each of these organisations on the importance of the Christmas Appeal donations this year.

Michelle Maddock Conaghan of St Clare’s Hospitality Kitchen, shared her gratitude for the support to be received, saying: “We are extremely grateful to both Celtic FC Foundation and the Celtic supporters for their incredible generosity this Christmas.

"As we rely entirely on fundraising and donations, it is only through the kindness of the community around us, that The Kitchen can remain in operation. We serve up to 140 meals per day to individuals and families in our area affected by poverty and food insecurity.

"Every donation goes a long way to help provide a hot, nutritious, three-course meal to someone who may otherwise go without. Thank you for supporting us and keeping the mission of The Kitchen alive.”

Liz Johnston of Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn, spoke of the difficulties faced by many of the women and children they support, saying: “Over the past few years, the generosity of Celtic FC Foundation has been more than just a financial contribution; it has been a lifeline that has directly provided not only food, gifts and utilities but also dignity and a path forward for women and children experiencing domestic abuse and homelessness in our community.

"On behalf of Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid, we cannot convey our sincere gratitude enough to everyone involved in the Foundation’s Christmas Appeal. Lives have been changed thanks to your unfailing support and generosity.”

Triona O’Sullivan of Women's Aid Dublin, highlighted how valuable the support they will receive this Christmas will be, adding: “The assistance we receive from Foundation is incredibly important to the women and children that we support at Women's Aid Dublin.

"Christmas can be an especially difficult time for women subjected to domestic abuse, as this abuse can escalate in frequency or intensity and there are also the additional financial pressures that Christmas can bring.

"Thanks to the Foundation’s Christmas Appeal, we are able to provide vouchers that help the women we support to purchase food, clothing, gifts and essential household items for themselves and their children, helping to ease some of the that pressure and make Christmas a little easier. We are so grateful to the Celtic fans for their incredible generosity at Christmas each year.”

This Christmas, your support can help Celtic FC Foundation bring a little joy, warmth and hope to those who need it most and you can read more about all of the beneficiary organisations HERE

Our Christmas Appeal will touch thousands of lives this festive period and we humbly ask you, the Celtic support, to stand with us and help make a positive difference for so many. Because sometimes, the greatest gift we can offer is compassion.

You can get behind this year’s Christmas Appeal in the following ways:

Donate online HERE
Donate via PayPal HERE
Donate via Facebook HERE
Donate by text – text ‘CELTIC’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70085*
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 in Celtic stores or online by purchasing an item from ‘Walfrid’s Wishlist’ HERE
Provide support through your Christmas shopping via Give as you Live HERE
Make a donation at check out when purchasing retail items HERE or tickets online HERE
Make a donation and hang an item on our Virtual Christmas Tree HERE

Contribute via our Christmas Appeal Logo Shirt Auction which will run until Saturday, November 28 HERE

Enter our Christmas Appeal Prize Draw, which will kick-off on Wednesday, November 18. Further details to follow.
Come along to the Ghirls for Good event on Friday, November 27 HERE

Support our Christmas Appeal Bucket Collection on Saturday, December 5. Further details to follow.
Support our Christmas Appeal Matchday Silent Auction on Saturday, December 5 at the match against St Johnstone. Silent Auction booklets can be found throughout the lounges and hospitality areas.
Sign up for the Celtic Sleep Out, London on Friday, December 11 HERE
Take part in the Santa Stroll on Saturday, December 12 HERE

Your incredible empathy and generosity will help us to continue the mission of Celtic.

Thank you so much for ensuring that those most in need, will never walk alone.

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

Celtic Sleep Out, Ireland will support Irish beneficiaries through this year’s Christmas Appeal