‘Big Hearts’ wins More than Football Award 2021

‘Big Hearts’ wins More than Football Award 2021

Big Hearts Community Trust, the foundation of Heart of Midlothian, has won the More than Football Award 2021 powered by Musco Lighting for their project ‘The Big Hearts Supporters’ Movement’. The winner was announced during a gala ceremony in the Big Church of Breda, one of the venues of the 16th EFDN Conference. The initiative of Big Hearts received the most votes of the EFDN Members. The goal of the More than Football Award is to honour the best social initiatives in Europe delivered by a European Club, League or FA.

BIG HEARTS – THE BIG HEARTS SUPPORTERS’ MOVEMENT

Big Hearts Supporters are a leading light in Scottish football and remain at the centre of everything that Big Hearts does. On average every year, they contribute to more than 4,000 hours of meaningful support changing the lives of hundreds of vulnerable adults and children. In 2020 amidst the pandemic, over 145 brand-new Big Hearts Supporters stepped up to volunteer with us. In the first six months of lockdown, our charity had supported 8,000 vulnerable people – three times more than in the previous 12 months. The determination and kindness from Hearts fans enabled us to create new initiatives, where volunteers could get involved safely whilst providing vital support to groups most at risk of Covid-19.

• 2,000+ welfare phone calls to older people isolated in their homes. One of the volunteers involved was the Head coach of the Heart of Midlothian Women’s Team.
• 138,000+ packed meals prepared for homeless groups in Edinburgh.
• 4,100+ printed reminiscence parcels for fans living with dementia.A new team of Gazette contributors was set up to write inspiringstories and recollections from good old days.
• 1,200+ tailored presents donated and distributed for Christmas.
• 400+ hours of peer support to fans via video chats. 5 of the most popular Hearts’ podcasts decided to open Zoom calls to fans for a chance to speak together twice a week during lockdown.

These are only a few examples of how the movement played a vital role in the club’s capacity to navigate through the pandemic and ensure those who need our help most get the support they deserved. With the fans not being able to attend the games in the Stadium, Big Hearts Supporters felt great pride in having the opportunity to be able to do something good in their community, at the most difficult of times, whilst representing their favourite football Club.

The shortlisted projects

• Barça Foundation – Sport as a tool for inclusion in Juvenile Justice Centres
• FC Twente – ‘Integration of the Turkish Community in Twente’
• PFC Ludogorets – Improve yourself with Ludogorets
• Big Hearts Community Trust-The Big Hearts Supporters ‘movement