When the football season comes to a close and the players head off on holiday, while journalists create stories about potential transfers, we the fans take stock of what we’ve just enjoyed (or endured) over the previous 10 months. The progress report for Celtic reads well, very well actually. The league cup was secured before Christmas and then we were crowned champions of Scotland in May, not too bad for a new manager building a new squad. The prize for that bumper performance is a return to the champions league group stages and all the incentives that brings. A triumphant return on the pitch post Covid restrictions shows the significant work that goes on to deliver such success.
The final day of the season was an emotional one, I was self-isolating after testing positive for Covid, so missed out on watching the rampant performance from our new champions. It was hard to keep the tears from falling as long term club servants Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton took their final steps on the hallowed Celtic Park turf. I also missed out on the Celtic Foundation badge day, another staple of the Celtic Park calendar. I had volunteered along with my wife to join the bucket collection around the entrance to the stadium, but sadly I had to miss out on this too.
The funds raised by supporters on days like the Badge Day go a long way in supporting the incredible work carried out at the foundation. As someone who has taken part in individual fundraising events for the Foundation, I never fully grasped the diverse network of programmes offered by the Celtic Foundation to support those most in need in our local communities.
One of the phrases that became synonymous with our title winning team this season was “We Never Stop”. The same could be said about the clubs charitable arm, the foundation never stops and never stands still. When the Covid restrictions hit our communities, the team at the Foundation were still pushing to ensure those people in most need of assistance were not forgotten.
I was fortunate enough to attend a Celtic Foundation showcase event earlier this week. The event was hosted by Gerry McCulloch and supported by Foundation Chief Executive Tony Hamilton and Head of Outcomes Donna Marie Henry, but the real stories of success came from the programme participants.
Over the course of the evening we were given an insight into the incredible work done by the Foundation, supported by donations. Six speakers shared their personal stories of how the Foundation work has changed their life. From the Lions Lunch on a Monday providing support and respite for dementia sufferers and their carers, to Ability Counts, supporting families and introducing their loved ones into an environment where they can flourish. The portfolio of work is truly heartwarming.
We also heard about the impact the sensory room within the stadium has with supporters and their families. The collaboration with Down syndrome and autism support groups, but there were two participants who held the room in their hands while they spoke. Sharing both of their experiences of mental health issues as well as dealing with drug addiction, these personal stories exposed the void left in funding from local authorities to help people in these situations. The stories shone a light on the impact the Foundation has in helping empower those within the programmes to take the necessary steps on their recovery.
A truly inspirational evening finished with a unique and moving rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone from the UK Theatre School. On leaving the showcase event I thought about how those collection boxes dotted around the turnstiles and justgiving pages set up by fundraisers all over the world had helped deliver each of those inspirational stories as well as aid the 20+ individual projects that support people of all ages and ability across many communities.
