Fundraising in Memory of Frank McGarvey
Friday, 17th March 2023 would have been the former Celtic and St Mirren striker Frank McGarvey’s 67th Birthday.
For Celtic supporters, 67 represents a special number, and Frank’s friend Bernie Vallely who runs ‘Fitba Greats’, wanted to do something special to remember and celebrate Frank.
With Robert and Mary from Elders Bar, Tollcross planning a St Patrick’s Day gathering, they grouped together to create a special night that would also help raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer in memory of Frank.
Tickets sold out before there was an opportunity to promote the event, with family, friends, and fans of Frank keen to show their support.
Ninety guests attended the evening, which was compared by Frank’s close friend Tommy Sheridan who, alongside former Celtic Football players Tosh McKinlay and Joe Miller, shared football memories and stories.
With live music adding to the fantastic atmosphere, everyone had a fabulous night, and an incredible £11,050 was raised for Pancreatic Cancer Action.
Guests were provided with an opportunity to win a raffle prize of a framed Celtic Football Club shirt, signed by the squad and a very kind guest then offered a very generous donation for a second version to be sourced by Fitba Greats.
The auction was the main driver of achieving such a fantastic total, with exclusive prizes creating a bidding battle across the packed room!
Prizes included:
- Signed framed print of Frank McGarvey
- Framed Bertie Ault print
- Framed Danny McGrain signed shirt.
- Framed Lisbon Lions print signed by 8 Lions.
- Framed & signed Celtic double winners’ shirt – Ange’s first season.
- 1985 Cup Final Shirt signed by the scorer of the winning goal – Frank McGarvey
- Signed by the Boss Ange signed shirt.
- Framed & signed Jersey – Captain Callum McGregor
Franks’ son Sean also brought along an additional prize of a signed Celtic shirt kindly donated by Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson.
"I was so flat on St Patrick’s day with it being my dad's birthday and I have been missing him so much, but I got such a lift from people’s generosity and stories. My dad was so lucky to have pals like Bernie, Robert and Tommy and everyone coming together to raise that much money for a charity now so close to my heart is unbelievable, I know my dad will want us to continue to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, it was an amazing night my dad would have loved it I can't wait for next years!"
The initial total raised was £9,007.30, and then Robert from Elders Bar topped it up with an additional £900 donation to take the total over £10,000! When the total was announced to guests, another guest kindly donated an additional £1,000. Further donations after the event brought the total to an amazing £11,050.
Franks’ daughter Jenny, who attended the event, was delighted to return to Elders Bar recently for a cheque presentation to Pancreatic Cancer Action with event organisers Bernie, Mary and Robert.
The family are very keen to continue raising funds and awareness in memory of Frank and welcome further donations and support to their JustGiving page