CHARITY INFORMATION

As a result of the 2005 and 2006 games at Celtic Park, Celtic FC have £12, 811 to award to a charity of their choice. Scottish International Relief (SIR) have received £4,000 of this, which they are using to ship a donation of 7000 new Nike training footballs to Malawi, where they will be distributed to hundreds of schools which already benefit from the SIR’s school feeding program, Mary’s Meals.

In 2004, Celtic chose 2 charities to benefit from the funds raised through the Football Aid games at Celtic Park.

The Make a Wish Foundation received £5,000 to help grant magical wishes of children with life threatening illnesses in Scotland. The wishes can involve anything from a trip to Disneyland, a journey on the Orient Express, a computer or even a trip to Manchester United.  On receiving the award, Amanda Hillhouse, Area Manager said, “Please accept our sincere thanks for the very kind grant of £5,000. It is only with organisations such as yours that we are able to continue granting the magical wishes of the children we have the privilege of serving.”

The Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) also received £5,000. CHAS was founded in 1992 by professionals and parents who understood the needs of children with life limiting conditions and their families. At the time, there was no hospice provision for children in Scotland but in 1996, Rachel House; Scotland’s first children’s hospice opened providing specialist support, short term breaks, terminal care, bereavement counselling, friendship, information, advice and practical support. The Field of Dreams grant was used to complete Robin House, the second CHAS hospice. Roslyn Neely, Fundraising Manager, explained, "Teenagers using Rachel House had expressed how important and beneficial it is for them to have a private space where they can enjoy some independence from parents and carers. We therefore created a 'Teenage Den' for them at Robin House and this grant helped equip it. It has been a huge success.”

“Robin House opened in August 2005 and the Teenage Den has proved hugely popular. The equipment this grant has allowed us to buy has made the room feel very special. The teenagers love it and won't even come out for mealtimes! A lot of our teenagers, especially our young men, can be withdrawn and angry about their condition. Staff have reported that the relaxed atmosphere and privacy of the den has encouraged the teenagers to open up and broach their fears to staff, which they may not do around their parents. We involved the teenagers in the Teenage Den.  They chose the colour scheme, lights, all equipment, computer games etc.  This was a great thing to do as it gave them ownership of the project and are very proud of it.”