Kasper Schmeichel appeared at the Celtic Foundation’s Lions’ Lunch Break ahead of Dementia Action Week.

The project helps to support individuals living with dementia, alongside their families and carers, by providing a warm environment where participants can enjoy social connection and shared experiences.

Lisbon Lion Jim Craig has spoken publicly for the first time about being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is the single most common cause of dementia, with just over 900,000 people in the UK suffering from it. 

And Schmeichel, who has been sidelined with gruelling injury issues since February, was in attendance to support the Foundation’s lunch.

Speaking at the community event, he said (@FoundationCFC):

“I think maybe one of the advantages of not playing at the moment is you get time to do these kinds of things. I enjoy them.

“Football clubs are the hub of a community, but Celtic, particularly, is very much that club that looks after the whole community. It’s great to see the work they do; it’s nice to be able to come along. Some pretty decent singers on the karaoke, so it’s been good fun.

“People are people, and some people need help, and it’s good that there is people out there who want to help.”

 

It is one of many events that the club sets up to help community inclusion and to raise awareness of illnesses such as dementia.

Schmeichel was in attendance for Celtic’s title party at the weekend, and it’s good to see him out supporting such an important cause.

Celtic, as a club, has been at the heart of community-driven campaigns throughout its history, with this initiative the most recent example.

The project was established through funds raised by the Foundation’s Lions’ Legacy Campaign, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions’ monumental European Cup win in 1967.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the club’s biggest achievement.