Fan-based charity, The Kano Foundation, reaches a significant landmark this weekend when they bring their 15,000th kid to Celtic Park, free of charge.
Established in season 2010/2011, the Kano Foundation believes all children regardless of background and circumstance should have access to sport and professional sporting events.
They offer free places at home league matches to groups and individuals under 13 – giving a modern-day ‘lift over the turnstile. To put this milestone in context, that’s almost enough young people to fill the main stand twice over.
Growing from just a handful of seats initially, the Kano Foundation now offers over 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 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.
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.
Over the past thirteen years, The Kano Foundation has built an army of supporters from near and far, firmly establishing themselves within the Celtic community. They have grown from relying on word-of-mouth endorsement to receiving letters of thanks, as well as being shortlisted for awards.
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 round the stands.
“Picture yourself on the terraces, wearing your scarf while gleaming at your tighly-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.”
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 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 match day experience is led by a team of volunteers who ensure every kid who comes to a game with The Kano Foundation has the best time possible.
Volunteer Neil Murphy, says: “Most matches we kick off from about 12pm 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.”
