Glasgow Celtic FC donate £1,000

Celtic fans from Derry, across Ireland and beyond pooled resources to raise over £5,000, for Derry's Foyle Hospice recently.


The money was raised via 'Night at the races events' and auctions in response to a former Celtic player, John Clifford, having gone 'awol' with Euro1,000 which had been raised for the charity in Donegal last year.

The fundraising initiative began when Mickey McDaid, secretary of the Derry No 1 Celtic Supporters Club, 'disgusted' by the actions of Clifford, enlisted the help of Celtic's world wide 'family.'

"That is what Celtic fans are, an extended family. What happened to the funds raised before wasn't right and we wanted to set the record straight," said Mr. McDaid.

"After the word got out that we were going to do something, I was inundated by calls and well wishers. I knew that similar events had been successful but I was overwhelmed by the support our club had received."

Derry number one CSC run an annual charity night which has resulted in thousands of pounds being donated to local causes.The coffers of this event benefited to the tune of $750 courteousy of the Kearney supporters club, New Jersey, USA.

A message from the American supporters read "Brother Walfrid, founder of our great football team would have been extremely proud of you for undertaking this fundraising night in aid of Foyle Hospice. Congratulations on carrying the good charity work that he started all those years ago." £500 was raised by the Jimmy Delaney CSC, that club's close ties to Derry City underlined by the fact that they supported the need to replace the original charity money which the Foyle Hospice is still awaiting.

Support

Letters of support were sent to Derry No. 1 from, among others, Billy McNeill, (Lisbon Lion Captain), the Celtic FC Supporters Association,  the affiliation of CSC, The Celtic Trust and Peter Lawwel,l the Chief Executive of Glasgow Celtic FC.

In his letter Mr. Lawwell stated; "We are delighted to make a donation to assist your excellent work, we are pleased to support the tremendous work carried out by the Foyle Hospice."

On the work of the Celtic fans, Mr. Lawwell had this to say; "We all know Celtic fans are the best in the world and the organising of tonight's event by the Derry No. 1 CSC is typical of the great work which many supporters have carried out. Congratulations to Michael McDaid for all his efforts on behalf of the hospice."

Asked for his own reaction Mr. McDaid, who has been attending Celtic games for over 30 years said; "I just hope it covers the bad press the clubs supporters received after the original funds were misappropriated. Every Celtic fan sees themselves as a part of the Celtic family so we were all hurt when funds raised for the Hospice were not received by them.

"People in the town were making jokes at us but they became jokes with a jag so it is great that we have now raised over five times the original amount.  We have settled the debt and added some."

13 April 2007