GIVING AT THE HEART OF COMMUNITIES THAT CAN LEAST AFFORD IT

From feeding 40,000 kids a day in Malawi to the cashback scheme from the police and Food for Good. Tony is proud of what his Celtic FC Foundation is achieving. “We can’t boil the ocean, but we try to do what we can do. “Our role is to tackle poverty and redeem the lives of marginalised people. We identified 60 charities and funded these through the ‘Food for good’ program. What we increasingly realise is that many people don’t just need food they often need support with their mental health. We are also addressing that imperative.”

One observation Tony is happy to share? It is people with the least that often give the most. His experience of this spirit started at home and then at St Andrew's Secondary School in the east end of Glasgow. A school which Tony describes as ‘Mental’. It was run by the Marist Brothers and headed by Brother John Ogilvie who “had a heart of gold. He really did care about people and would regularly dip into his pocket if someone needed it.”

It was years later in 2008, when after studying for his MBA, and with many years working in marketing roles at the Club, Tony was asked to set-up the Celtic FC Foundation. It was a challenge he relished, and it certainly didn’t take him long to realise the immensity of the generosity out there – especially from some of the poorest communities. But with the Club’s global draw we also organise fundraising dinners and events across the World – from London to New York. “It is something we will never, ever take for granted.”

No entry to the ‘Polis’

When he left school Tony’s ambition was to go into law and he sent applications to a number of Police forces. These were unsuccessful admits Tony, who now reflects on the attainment and expectation gap that existed back in the early 80s. In his view, the gap was greater than now. “I did what many young men did in our community: “Got married young and had children.”

What has never left Tony from his younger years is the ethos that existed in his community in Glasgow’s east end. “You were brought up to look after people who needed help.”

Now at the Celtic FC Foundation, that is precisely what drives him today. So, how does he advise young people today? “Have ambition, manage your expectations, have a bit of humility, make good choices and live your best life. It’s not the money you make or where you get to travel to that should measure your success or make you happy. It is the people you surround yourself with. In short, find something to do which makes you happy, do it now and don’t have any regrets.”

The Power of Inspiration

Tony has been both humbled and inspired by two books: One million Little Pieces by James Frey, whose experiences with drugs saw him near death’s door before he checked in a Rehabilitation Clinic. It is a heartrending journey that will inspire anyone who finds themselves in that situation. The other is “All Hell Let Loose, from a politically opposite source, Max Hastings. It is the very human stories of how World War 2 impacted on ordinary lives that reinforces the utter futility of war. He cites his father and former Celtic hero, Stillian Petrov as his most inspiring influencers.

So, what of the pandemic and the various stages of lockdown. “The really positive thing for me has been that bit more time spent at home and, believe it or not in the kitchen, where I have done much more cooking – expanding my skills. The food is "still terrible” but the focus and learning has been great. While Tony may not be the world’s greatest chef, his greatest pride is the work ethic of his family. One final piece of advice: “Marry a good-looking cook. That’s what my wife did.”

In memory of Ann McDonald (1932 - 2020)