More than Football Award nominee – Big Hearts

More than Football Award nominee – Big Hearts

EFDN is presenting the candidates for the More than Football Award. From an array of high-quality submissions for the award, the Big Hearts Supporter Movement has been selected for the initial 10 projects longlist.

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 by celebrating the work they do on and off-pitch on a local, national and international levels. The winner receives not only recognition for having implemented the most innovative and impactful Community and Social Responsibility programme in European football, but also wins a complete branded Mini-Pitch System modular sports solution which will be developed in partnership between the winning organisation, EFDN and sponsor Musco Lighting.

The shortlist will be announced on the 29th of September. Shortlisted organisations will be invited to present at the 16th EFDN Conference in Breda, The Netherlands (9-10 November). EFDN members will decide on the winner by voting.

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 wasthe Head coach of the Heart of MidlothianWomen’sTeam.
• 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.

More than Football Awad longlist

See the full longlist here. Follow our EFDN social media channels for more updates on the award and CSR in football.