Brendan Rodgers' Celtic will entertain St Johnstone at a full-house Celtic Park on Saturday, in a run-of-the-mill Scottish Premiership fixture. For some kids in attendance though, the match will represent much more - the experience of a lifetime.
It will be a historic day for Celtic fan-run charity The Kano Foundation who will reach a significant landmark when they welcome their 15,000th child to Celtic Park. It represents an incredible statistic for the organisation which was established in 2010/11, with their stated aim of giving kids a matchday experience they will never forget by providing them with a modern-day ‘lift over the turnstile’.
The Kano Foundation's mission statement is that all children - regardless of background and circumstance - should have access to sports and professional sporting events. The charity offers free places at home league matches to groups and individuals under 13. To put the 15,000 kids milestone into some kind of context, just imagine Celtic Park's Main Stand being filled twice over.
The Kano Foundation has grown from occupying a handful of seats initially to now catering for 150 kids’ tickets per home match. With costs running at some £2,000 per match, it is all achieved through goodwill and donations from the volunteers, organisers and those who donate in other ways but also with the Kano Foundation's relationship with Celtic itself. The foundation 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.
The forthcoming league 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 also be welcomed onto the hallowed turf of Celtic Park for a rousing reception and indelible memory.
Over the past thirteen years, The Kano Foundation has built a vast army of supporters within the Celtic community. The organisation has grown from relying on word-of-mouth endorsements to receiving letters of thanks, as well as being shortlisted for awards.
READ MORE: How fantastic Kano Foundation keeps an old Celtic tradition alive
The Kano Foundation 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. Kingsman admits the ultimate dream is to see a kid who was helped by The Kano Foundation don the famous Celtic jersey.
He 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.
"Now imagine you never had that chance because it is 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 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 Celtic. All thanks to everyone who has played a part, big or small.”
Former Celtic skipper Tom Boyd is a Kano Foundation patron. He 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.”
The matchday experience is led by a team of volunteers who ensure every kid who comes to a Celtic game with The Kano Foundation has the best time possible.
READ MORE: Celtic video special: Spotlight on the Kano Foundation
Volunteer Neil Murphy, said the priceless expression on every child's face is reward enough. Murphy said: "For most matches, we kick off at about 12 pm getting ready for our special guests. We gather at our base in St Michael’s Chapel Hall in Parkhead, Glasgow.
“Every child receives their own goodie bag which includes the all-important, iconic Kano Foundation green and white scarf! We provide a hot meal, and - after some health and safety tips - the real fun begins walking to the stadium en-masse. Our running costs are around £2000 per match and every week presents a new challenge, but it’s worth every minute to witness 180 excitable kids in a packed football stadium. It's just so rewarding to be part of this.”
You can learn more about the Kano Foundation via its website here. To donate, visit this page while information about volunteering can be found here. To receive an email when the matchday application process reopens, fill in the form on this page. Kano Foundation merchandise can be purchased from Calton Books on London Road, Glasgow and you can keep up to date with the Foundation's activities on Facebook and Twitter, too
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