We also heard from some of the other beneficiaries working with those impacted by homelessness on the difference that previous support from the Foundation’s Christmas Appeal has made, and will make this year.

Joy Andrew, of Glasgow City Mission, said: “We’re so grateful for the support we receive from the Foundation’s Christmas Appeal, thank you to everyone who contributes. This support goes towards food costs at our drop-in which runs every week day.

“We serve a nutritious lunch and dinner and these meal times are often our first point of contact with people who have hit a crisis point in their life. Your support enables us to continue to let guests know they are valued, build community, and signpost guests to our other services. Thanks again.”

Helen McMillan, of Help the Homeless, spoke of the difference that the Appeal will make to the people who use their service: “Help the Homeless Glasgow are proud to be a beneficiary of Celtic FC Foundation’s annual Christmas Appeal. In previous years, the donations given to us have been used to provide Christmas dinners to those people experiencing homelessness, who were accommodated in bed and breakfasts and temporary accommodation services, to ensure as many people as possible, who would not otherwise have had the opportunity, can enjoy a decent Christmas dinner and receive a gift.

“Celtic FC Foundation not only help us to provide support with food over the Christmas period but also social inclusion, by allowing us to organise a sit down meal for those who do not have family to visit. This year will be no different, as well as this, we will be supporting many families living in temporary accommodation this Christmas, by giving each child a toy to open and food for their Christmas dinner, in the hope that it puts a wee bit of festive cheer into their day, regardless of their housing situation. Without the Foundation and their supporters, none of this would be possible and we cannot thank you all enough for the support over the years.”

This weekend, over 160 supporters will brave the cold conditions in support of our Christmas Appeal, with Sleep Out events at Celtic Park in Derry on Friday night and Paradise on Saturday.

We will share details on some of our Irish beneficiaries in the coming days. Following Saturday’s Sleep Out event in Glasgow, participants will also have an opportunity to donate their sleeping bags and ground mats to The Invisibles and The Wayside Club.

You can read more about those which will benefit from your support, via our Christmas Appeal webpage HERE.

The generosity and compassion of the Celtic support is truly unsurpassed and we simply cannot make a difference to the lives of so many without you.

Together, we can Light Up Someone’s Christmas this festive season.

To get behind this year’s Christmas Appeal, you can:

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
Make a donation and hang an item on our Virtual Christmas Tree HERE
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
Contribute via our Christmas Appeal Logo Shirt Auction which is now live and will close on Saturday, November 18 HERE
Sign up for the Celtic Sleep Out, Derry on Friday, November 17 HERE
Sign up for the Celtic Sleep Out, Glasgow on Saturday, November 18 HERE
Enter our Christmas Appeal Prize Draw, which will kick-off on Monday, November 20 – further details to follow.
Come along to the Ghirls for Good event on Friday, November 24 HERE
Support our Christmas Appeal Bucket Collection on Saturday, November 25 – to register as a volunteer collector, call 0141 551 4321 or email cfcfoundation@celticfc.co.uk
Sign up for the Celtic Sleep Out, London on Saturday, December 2 HERE
Sign up for the Santa Stroll 1 Mile or 5K on Sunday, December 17 HERE

Thank you for your magnificent support.

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

Support provided to homeless community this Yuletime by Foundation's Christmas Appeal