Lighting up Christmas with the Celtic FC Foundation:
Friday the 18th November saw the first of three Celtic Sleep Out events in the run up to the festive season, as over 30 participants took part in our inaugural initiative in Derry. The event was the Foundations third in Ireland, following the wonderful success of Sleep Outs in Sligo and Donegal in 2021 and 2022. As was the case on these occasions, net proceeds raised from the Celtic Sleep Out, Derry will be devoted to our Irish Christmas Appeal beneficiary charities. The group was a mix of individual supporters and representatives from CSCs across the country including Derry No.1, Buncrana, Sliabh Bládhma CSC Laois, Lurgan No.1 and Tyrone No.1 CSC.
Collectively, participants raised a phenomenal net total in the region of £15K for the 2023 Christmas Appeal. The event took place at Derry’s very own Celtic Park, which is now synonymous with Gaelic sports in the city but owes its origin and name to its footballing past.
It was first developed as the home ground of Derry Celtic FC in 1894, at a time when football had become the dominant sport in the area. As Derry Celtic’s star began to rise, prominent clubs came to play, not least the famous Glasgow Celtic in 1896. The GAA took over the ground in the early 1900s and Celtic Park has since been the home of Gaelic sports in Derry. But for Friday night, it played host to our Sleep Out participants. After registration and a short briefing, the local Mayor and Derry City’s Ciaran Coll both paid a visit to wish participants well before the Sleep Out officially began at 9.00pm in what felt like monsoon conditions. But it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of the group, as they headed out into the main stand for the obligatory group photo, before setting up for the night ahead. We were joined once again by award-winning country and folk music artist Sina Theil, and, just as she had done at our Sligo and Donegal events, Sina brought along her guitar and entertained fellow participants with an array of Celtic favourites, as well as a few of her own original songs.
Despite some challenging conditions faced throughout the night, our participants continued to remain upbeat until the event ended at 5.00am. Special recognition has to go to The Association of Irish Celtic Supporters’ Clubs, the Derry No.1 CSC and our fantastic GAA hosts, whose unwavering generosity, advice and assistance were 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 very kindly supported them. The proceeds from this event will play a vital role in helping to deliver this year’s Christmas Appeal, and every penny raised will be devoted to supporting those most in need within a number of communities in Ireland, through Women’s Aid Dublin, Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn and Foyle Women’s Aid in Derry. Each of these wonderful organisations play a vital role in supporting women and children who have suffered domestic abuse, and who face an extremely challenging time over the festive period.
Marie Brown of Foyle Women’s Aid spoke of their gratitude for those who’ve supported this year’s Appeal, saying: “We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Derry Sleep and have supported the wider Christmas Appeal. The women and children will benefit greatly this Christmas because of your generosity.”
Eavan Ward of Women’s Aid Dublin highlighted the importance of the contributions made, saying: “Economic abuse means that the women we work with struggle to pay their bills and keep food on the table, irrespective of how resourceful and resilient they are. Being able to offer women some financial help, to make their Christmas costs easier to bear is really affirming. We see the real difference this help makes in the lives of the woman and children and we are very grateful to everyone who supports Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal, thank you.”
Elaine Smyth of Women’s Aid Belfast and Lisburn added: “We are very busy here in Women’s Aid as the demands on our services just seem to be endless. The donations received via the Foundation’s Christmas Appeal make such a difference to the lives of the women and children we support, it can really be life changing!
One of our women told us last year that she had no money to buy food for Christmas and presents for the children were just not an option. However, support from the Foundation offered her the chance to have a proper Christmas with her children. Your support is invaluable, and we are so thankful for your generous giving!”
The Foundations 2023 Christmas Appeal aimed to bring comfort and light up the lives of many who would otherwise struggle over the festive period. This includes local families facing poverty, so they can enjoy the type of Christmas that many of us take for granted. As well as pensioners, women and children in refuge, the homeless community and refugees and a host of others experiencing hardship.
Following the phenomenal success of this Sleep Out, the Celtic FC Foundation are delighted to announce that they will be returning to Ireland once again, for their ‘Celtic Sleep Out, Wicklow’ event, which will form a vital part of our 2024 Christmas Appeal. This year’s Sleep Out will take place on Friday, November 15th at the Carlisle Grounds, home of Bray Wanderers in County Wicklow. The stadium has been a focal point for local football since it became Bray Wanderers’ home in 1922 and it has witnessed numerous memorable matches and remains a key fixture in Irish football. Registration for the event is now open. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The non-refundable registration fee is £30/€35 per person. Together, we can Light Up Someone’s Christmas this festive season. Hail Hail
