Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal phase of the Football for Good Fund (FFGF) is in full swing and today our spotlight series continues with an in-depth look at two closely linked organisations, carrying out essential work all year round, but especially during the festive period - Glasgow Women’s Aid (GWA) and Glasgow East Women’s Aid (GEWA).

Both charities provide support to women, children and young people who are experiencing domestic abuse.

GWA has been operating since 1973 and previously received support in the form of donations and toys through the Christmas Appeal.

Martha Gardiner, Communication Worker with GWA said: “We use our expert knowledge of domestic abuse to educate on related issues and campaign for equality, offering domestic abuse awareness training, prevention workshops in schools, awareness raising campaigns and expert resources on domestic abuse. Support from Celtic FC Foundation has a profound effect on the women here.”

Women and children fleeing domestic violence often seek out the crucial support that GWA provides during times of desperation. One of the woman who has benefited from support spoke of the difference that GWA has made to her and her family, saying: "My stay with Glasgow Women’s Aid was amazing. We were at our lowest when we moved into refuge and all the support I had was fantastic."

In 1993, our second of today’s beneficiaries, GEWA was formed as an offshoot of GWA based in the East End of Glasgow. It has continued to grow throughout the past 28 years, sadly due to the increasing need in the East of the City. The charity is a long-standing partner of Celtic FC Foundation and that is recognition of the vital work they do throughout the year for so many women and children and young people, but at Christmas the need grows even greater.

Anne Kelly, GEWA Senior Project and Development Worker said: “For GEWA at Christmas, it is always our endeavour to make it special for those less fortunate, however, this year the demographic has changed dramatically and the requests for support are also being made by those whose employment has been effected by COVID. Despite the world returning to some form of normality recently, financial difficulties remain.”

Anne continued: “Just like last year, the impact of the pandemic has greatly reduced our sources of donations, due to the closure of many small businesses. We cannot thank the Foundation and its supporters enough for the ongoing backing they have provided over the years and it is with a heavy heart that I ask them to get behind the Christmas Appeal again. Sadly, domestic abuse is ever present, it does not respect age, class, or academic ability. This can be difficult at any time of the year but the prevalence of the family at Christmas is very significant.”

Both GWA and GEWA could not provide these levels of assistance without donations from local groups and individuals. The support from Celtic FC Foundation plays an essential role in allowing them to continue their work over the festive period.

Glasgow Women’s Aid and Glasgow East Women’s Aid are the latest Appeal beneficiaries to be confirmed, joining 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 in 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
Make a donation today to receive your ‘Celtic FC Foundation Letter from Santa’ 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
Support our matchday bucket collection on Sunday, December 12 - to register as a volunteer collector, call 0141 551 4486 or email kparker@celticfc.co.uk
Enter our new Christmas Appeal Prize Draw HERE

Thank you for your magnificent support.

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

Foundation Christmas Appeal Spotlight – Glasgow Women’s Aid & Glasgow East Women’s Aid