MORE than 50 supporters with autism and other disabilities have been able to experience a live football match thanks to a special sensory room at Parkhead.

Celtic Football Club's charity arm has praised The Lions' View Sensory Room since it opened in April and confirmed that dozens of youngsters have benefitted from the unique set up. 

The Lions’ View Sensory Room is a safe space for children and young people living with auditory, visual or sensory disorders, including autism and similar conditions.

The project was created as part of the Lions Legacy series which was launched in May 2017 to honour 50 years since the club's 1967 European Cup win. Fundraising events held during the celebratory year have allowed for the Celtic FC Foundation to create the project. 

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Celtic FC report that Kevin McLaughlin, who took his son Aaron to his first-ever Celtic game against Kilmarnock in April,  said: “For me, it represented a day that I never thought would be possible. 

“I had just accepted that I would never be able to take Aaron to Celtic Park. On that day, Aaron’s life got that bit bigger, he loved the whole experience of going to his first Celtic game with his dad – just like any other young boy.”

Nicola Martin also got to see first hand how the project works when she took her daughter Kacey to the SPFL match against St Johnstone.

She added: “Kacey would have never been able to have had such an enjoyable, peaceful day at Celtic Park without all the hard work and consideration the club and Foundation has given to supporting autism and other disabilities.

“It was great to see and lovely to enjoy the day with her. Thank you again for having us it was Kacey’s ‘best day ever’.”

Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive Tony Hamilton said: “Everyone at Celtic FC Foundation is delighted with the success of the Sensory Room so far. It’s important to recognise the part the club’s supporters played in making this and other initiatives possible.

“We are keen to develop our work in this area and our aim is to ensure the Sensory Room is used by as many people as possible."

With over 80 supporters looking to utilise the room, Celtic FC Foundation has created a waiting list to mitigate growing demand.

Supporters interested in accessing The Lions’ View Sensory Room on a matchday, or learning more about the facility, should contact cfcfoundation@celticfc.co.uk