Charity who take kids to Celtic Park reach milestone

Founded in 2010, The Kano Foundation has helped thousands of children experience the famous atmosphere at Celtic's ground, free of charge. 

And this weekend the charity will celebrate a significant landmark as they are set to bring their 15,000th kid to the ground.

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The milestone put into context would allow the main stand to be filled with young people twice over.

The Kano Foundation believes all children regardless of background and circumstance should have access to sport and professional sporting events.

And they offer free places at home league matches to groups and individuals under 13 - giving a modern-day ‘lift over the turnstile.

Chairman Mark Kingsman is quick to point out that none of this would be possible without the donations of their supporters, or the trustees and volunteers who give up their free time to make this happen.

Mark said: “Many football fans, no matter who they support, have fantastic memories of their first-ever match. Standing with their family or friends, neck hairs bristling as that first tumultuous chorus echoed around the stands.

“Picture yourself on the terraces, wearing your scarf while gleaming at your tightly-clasped programme, with the smell of pie and Bovril wafting around your nostrils.

“But now imagine you never had that chance. Out of reach as social circumstance makes it too unaffordable for you. Sadly, in these hard-pressed times, that’s the reality for many.

“At the Kano Foundation, we are changing that with the help of people who have similar memories and want to make sure others do too, either by volunteering or through donations.

“Reaching 15,000 kids is an amazing milestone and we look forward to the next 15,000. Who knows – one day a former Kano kid may even have been inspired enough that they will pull on the jersey for the Hoops.

"All thanks to everyone who has played a part, big or small.”

The forthcoming match against St Johnstone will see groups from Newtown Rock Boys Club, Port Glasgow Boys Club, Rossvale Girls Under 12, Kilsyth Athletic, Cumbernauld Colts, Carbrain United, and Burnbank Boys Club.

The lucky 15,000th kid will be welcomed onto the park where they are sure to receive rousing applause.

Growing from just a handful of seats initially, the Kano Foundation now offers 150 kids’ tickets per home match.

The charity works with individual families and clubs, ranging from youth football groups to community projects providing diversionary activities aimed at preventing young people from getting involved in anti-social behaviour.

In doing so, they’ve established respect among the wider voluntary sector by enabling them to help their own service users.

Tom Boyd, former Celt and Kano Foundation patron, said: “Being part of this work is an absolute pleasure.

"Knowing we have given over 15,000 young people ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ moments is astounding.

“We show football not only as a positive experience but also as a way to give encouragement and confidence to young people.

It can deliver important messages about respect, health and well-being, team building, as well as social skills.”