More than £50,000 has been raised by football fans who took part in a sleep out charity event at Celtic Park. Around 125 Hoops supporters braved the icy temperatures on Sunday, November 17 to raise money for the Celtic FC Foundation.
Temperatures dropped below freezing as more than a hundred people wrapped up to raise cash with every penny going to the foundation’s Christmas Appeal 2024, reports Glasgow Live. Ahead of the event, supporters were welcomed from Head of Foundation Jane Maguire before hearing from manager Brendan Rodgers through the foundation’s 2024 Christmas Appeal VT.
Former Celtic captain Stephen McManus was also in attendance to support participants, as he joined for a group photo before wishing them well for the night ahead. An unlimited supply of tea, coffee and Bovril was given to those brave enough to sleep out to ensure they were kept warm.
Following the long night, the group were given the opportunity to donate their sleeping bags and mats. The end was marked with a warm breakfast in the Jock Stein Lounge where club suppliers Bidfood, Campbell Prime Meats and Premier Produce donated food supplies.
A spokesperson for the Celtic FC Foundation said: “Celtic FC Foundation would like to thank each and every Sleep Out participant for their incredible efforts, as well as everyone who supported them along the way. You have made a genuine difference to those in our community, who are most in need.”
Celtic Foundation’s Christmas Appeal aims to assist local families to have the best festive period possible. The final Sleep Out event of the 2024 appeal will be the foundation’s seventh in London and take place on December 13 at St Anne’s Primary School in Whitechapel.
Donations to Celtic Foundation’s Christmas appeal can be made online here.
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