Paul Muldoon is family

I was leaning into the rain up the bóithrín when the Samsung tried to escape from my jacket.

Just in case it was important, I found an overgrown hedge to shelter under, and I was reminded that the only Barbour fit for this place is the Durham.

Integral hood CSC.

I fumbled with the thing and was immediately happy that I hadn’t ignored the call.

It was a fella who always puts me in good humour.

Paul Muldoon was on the line.

He had called your humble correspondent with some seriously good news.

The weather wouldn’t let up, and I was reduced to shouting into the side of the hood like Father Jack.

So he agreed to send me an email and here it is:

Hello Phil,

It was good catching up yesterday, and thank you again for your continued support in helping to promote the fantastic work of Celtic FC Foundation. 

As discussed, here is the link to my JustGiving page. 

As you know, in 2017, I cycled to Lisbon to celebrate the Lisbon Lions’ 50th anniversary.

It was brilliant to meet you there, Phil!

A planned Glasgow-to-Milan cycle in 2020 was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19.

In 2023, chronic back and nerve pain prevented me from joining my friends on their cycle to Seville. Determined to contribute, I completed the route virtually on my smart trainer at home, playing my part in a fantastic fundraising effort that raised £100,000 for the Foundation. 

Fast forward to 2026, and I’m delighted to say that Mouldy Goes to Milan is now complete! 

After years of health challenges, I finally achieved what I had originally set out to do in 2020, virtually cycling the 1,054 miles from Glasgow to Milan and climbing an incredible 120,054 feet along the way. 

It certainly wasn’t fast, and there were plenty of challenges along the way, but the determination to finish what I had started, combined with the encouragement and generosity of so many people, helped me reach Milan. 

More importantly, the challenge was about much more than cycling. 

All funds raised will support Celtic FC Foundation’s Paradise Recovery Café, which welcomes around 30 adults each week who are facing challenges including addiction, mental ill health, trauma and homelessness. 

The Café provides a warm meal, peer support and pathways into recovery, but perhaps most importantly, it offers something that means so much to our Celtic Family — a sense of belonging. 

Every donation helps sustain this vital service, offering hope, dignity and the opportunity for a fresh start. 

While my cycling challenge is now complete, you can still support this wonderful project. 

The following webpage provides details of the challenge, along with links to the various blogs documenting my journey:

https://mouldy67.com/charity-project-mouldy-goes-to-milan-2026/

This additional link provides some background on the inspiration behind the challenge and why I decided to undertake it:

https://mouldy67.com/2026/07/05/20260703-mouldy-goes-to-milan-backgroundwhatwhowhy-wherehow/

I’ve also enclosed a few photographs that may be useful.

As always, Phil, many thanks again for your support. It is very much appreciated.

Hail Hail!

Paul

If there is a 21st-century manifestation of what Brother Walfrid imagined the club could be, then it is in selfless efforts like this.

Dear reader, anytime some empty suit at Kerrydale Street parrots the PR line about the “Celtic Family”, they’re dining out on guys like Paul.

Proud to call him a friend.

If you can help, then please do.

Here is the link again.