TODAY, Wednesday, December 29, marks the third year since former Motherwell & Celtic star Phil O’Donnell tragically passed away, aged just 35.
The midfielder was captaining Motherwell during their match with Dundee United at Fir Park in 2007 when he collapsed on the pitch and died.
His death sparked a huge outpouring of grief among the whole of Scottish football. At the end of the 2007/08 season, over 60,000 supporters turned out at Celtic Park for a tribute match between the Celtic team that ‘stopped-the-10’ and the Motherwell side which lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991. Phil, of course, made a significant contribution to those successes at both clubs.
To this day, the tributes still continue. On the second anniversary of Phil’s death in 2009, his wife, Eileen O’Donnell, organised a 10-mile walk between Fir Park and Celtic Park to raise cash for charity. The event was dubbed ’10 for 10’, because of Phil’s shirt number and the distance between the two grounds.
Such was its success, the walk is being repeated this morning. Again, all proceeds will go towards the British Heart Foundation and Mary’s Meals.
Head of Celtic Youth, Chris McCart, who was a former team-mate of Phil's at Motherwell, took part in the walk last year and believed it was fitting way to honour his memory.
He said: “Last year was an excellent occasion and everyone was in good spirits on the walk. Obviously it’s sad when you think back as it’s the anniversary of Phil’s death and it brings back sad memories of that.
“But it also brings back good memories as well when you think of Phil’s career, him as a person and his family. His family will be out there today supporting it, and it was a good and fitting occasion last year.
“With the Celtic-Motherwell game on this year, both clubs featured heavily in his career and were a big part of his life and his family can relate to that.
“The charitable side of it is also fantastic as the money goes to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Mary’s Meals.
“The BHF do a lot of good work so it’s also good for them in terms of raising awareness of what they do – helping to prevent heart attacks and save lives – while Mary’s Meals do a lot for the poor which is part of Celtic’s tradition and history. So they are both worthwhile causes to support.”
The walkers will begin their 10-mile trek this morning at 10am, setting out from Fir Park and ending up at Celtic Park.
And you can make a donation by sending a cheque, made payable to 'Walk 10 for 10', to: Myra House, 15 Law Place, East Kilbride, G74 4Ql. Or you can donate through the website Walk 10 for 10 | Phil O'Donnell
The midfielder was captaining Motherwell during their match with Dundee United at Fir Park in 2007 when he collapsed on the pitch and died.
His death sparked a huge outpouring of grief among the whole of Scottish football. At the end of the 2007/08 season, over 60,000 supporters turned out at Celtic Park for a tribute match between the Celtic team that ‘stopped-the-10’ and the Motherwell side which lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991. Phil, of course, made a significant contribution to those successes at both clubs.
To this day, the tributes still continue. On the second anniversary of Phil’s death in 2009, his wife, Eileen O’Donnell, organised a 10-mile walk between Fir Park and Celtic Park to raise cash for charity. The event was dubbed ’10 for 10’, because of Phil’s shirt number and the distance between the two grounds.
Such was its success, the walk is being repeated this morning. Again, all proceeds will go towards the British Heart Foundation and Mary’s Meals.
Head of Celtic Youth, Chris McCart, who was a former team-mate of Phil's at Motherwell, took part in the walk last year and believed it was fitting way to honour his memory.
He said: “Last year was an excellent occasion and everyone was in good spirits on the walk. Obviously it’s sad when you think back as it’s the anniversary of Phil’s death and it brings back sad memories of that.
“But it also brings back good memories as well when you think of Phil’s career, him as a person and his family. His family will be out there today supporting it, and it was a good and fitting occasion last year.
“With the Celtic-Motherwell game on this year, both clubs featured heavily in his career and were a big part of his life and his family can relate to that.
“The charitable side of it is also fantastic as the money goes to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Mary’s Meals.
“The BHF do a lot of good work so it’s also good for them in terms of raising awareness of what they do – helping to prevent heart attacks and save lives – while Mary’s Meals do a lot for the poor which is part of Celtic’s tradition and history. So they are both worthwhile causes to support.”
The walkers will begin their 10-mile trek this morning at 10am, setting out from Fir Park and ending up at Celtic Park.
And you can make a donation by sending a cheque, made payable to 'Walk 10 for 10', to: Myra House, 15 Law Place, East Kilbride, G74 4Ql. Or you can donate through the website Walk 10 for 10 | Phil O'Donnell
