Football for Good Fund
The Celtic FC Foundation has gathered more than £300,000 through its Football for Good fund.
The fund is being used to support communities through the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes providing funds to around 35 organisations supporting vulnerable children, families and the homeless, such as Glasgow’s Golden Generation (for the elderly), FARE Scotland, Spirit Aid, The Salvation Army, Action for Children, Help the Homeless, The Wayside Club, and Birth, Baby and Beyond.
The charity has also set up a free self-referral service providing food parcels to vulnerable people in Glasgow alongside our partner Glasgow North-East Foodbank.
Celtic chief executive, Peter Lawwell, said: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club and Celtic FC Foundation is aware of how the Covid-19 crisis is impacting on our communities. Therefore, it is vital that we continue to support the most vulnerable in our society during this period.
“The Football for Good Fund will provide a lifeline for so many, at an extremely difficult time, once again honouring the great charitable ambitions of the club’s founders.”
Social shielding saving lives
Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation has reiterated the need for everyone who meets the government’s ‘extremely vulnerable’ criteria to follow social shielding guidelines.
Those who have still not received an official shielding letter but do meet the criteria are urged to contact their GP or hospital doctor as soon as possible. Social shielding involves staying indoors and avoiding face-to-face contact, utilising government voluntary support services to get the supplies they need.
A recent survey by the charity has revealed that 97% of those with chronic lung conditions in Scotland, who had received an official shielding letter, have said they were taking the measures seriously.
Of the 1,188 Scots surveyed, just under 18% of respondents had received a letter to shield from the Scottish Government.
Other interesting findings from the survey include:
• Anxiety among those with lung conditions is high, with almost 70% of respondents reporting their Covid-19 related a score of 8/10 or above.
• 58% of smokers have said they are planning to quit due to Covid-19.
• 46% of people with lung conditions reported a disruption to their usual care due to Covid-19.
Support for families in lockdown
Disability charity Sense Scotland has announced support for families struggling with life under lockdown.
The charity has refocused its free Family Advisory Service to take enquiries related to the impact of coronavirus. And ideas, activities and knowledge will be shared via a new section on the Sense Scotland website to encourage families to ‘Be Well, Be Creative and Be Playful’.
“Life under lockdown can be challenging,” said executive director Angela Bonomy. “And we recognise that parents and carers may need somewhere to turn for advice, ideas or even to hear a friendly voice on the end of the phone.
“Just as we’ve had to adapt our frontline services to support the most vulnerable through this crisis, we’ve also had to do the same with other activities and support we provide.”
The Family Advisory service will take enquiries via email Monday to Friday whilst the Home Activities will be shared on Sense Scotland’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Family Advisory Service email is advisory@sensescotland.org.uk
Facebook Q&A sessions
Cancer Support Scotland will host a series of Facebook Live Q&A sessions that will explore the issues and questions those affected by cancer are experiencing during these difficult times.
The charity’s ambassador Laura Boyd will host this first session and put questions to the Scottish Government’s National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch. The event will take place on Cancer Support Scotland’s Facebook page on Monday 4 May at 3pm. Anyone across Scotland affected by cancer can put their question forward in advance.
Cancer Support Scotland chief executive Rob Murray said: “In these challenging times Cancer Support Scotland’s priority remains to protect and improve the wellbeing of those affected by cancer. Everyone is affected by the pandemic, but for those coping with cancer, the challenges we all face are compounded by the higher risk the virus places on many people receiving cancer treatment, and the changes or postponement of some treatment plans.
“We wanted to offer those we are supporting and the wider Scottish population the opportunity to share the questions that matter to them and keep the conversation going on the wellbeing of those affected by cancer.”
To put your question forward, email wellbeingsessions@cancersupportscotland.org by 3pm, Wednesday 29 April.
