SPFL Trust Festive Friends: Spreading Christmas Cheer!
This festive season, Big Hearts are sharing kindness and joy to those who need it most by taking part in the biggest ever SPFL Trust Festive Friends programme!
It’s been a difficult year so far for everyone with the cost-of-living crisis, but, of course, winter is always a particularly tough time for the elderly, who are at higher risk of social isolation.
With thanks to the continued support from the SPFL Trust, the official charity of Heart of Midlothian will welcome 140 guests to Tynecastle Park to enjoy a free Christmas dinner served in the Executive European Lounge.
This year, Big Hearts’ Memories Lunch will see older participants and volunteers from both our Monday and Tuesday Football and Edinburgh Memories groups, come together to enjoy an afternoon out with a delicious meal and entertainment. The event will mark the end of another very successful year where our free social group for over 65s at risk of social isolation has expanded and now welcomes more people than ever, every month.
The SPFL Trust’s Festive Friends programme is now in its seventh year, with 42 SPFL clubs taking part. Big Hearts are delighted to join the 2022 campaign which aims to support over 4,000 people at football grounds in Scotland.
Innes Shirreff, Big Hearts Operations Manager, said: “Big Hearts are delighted to have the support of the SPFL Trust’s Festive Friends programme again this year, which will help us to provide two social gatherings for older people at Tynecastle Park. Across the 12th and 13th December, we will welcome over 100 individuals and provide a three-course lunch, as well as gifts and entertainment. These lunches form a key part of our winter engagement for older people and provide an enjoyable afternoon out, in a warm and welcoming environment.
We are proud to be part of the wider community of football clubs, trusts and foundations across Scotland working to ensure vital support is provided to those who need it during the festive season.”
Nicky Reid, SPFL Trust CEO said: “Festive Friends is one of our biggest events at the SPFL Trust and for our colleagues at clubs and community trusts.
“It’s all about coming together to have a real impact in the lives of elderly and isolated people over the festive period – reaching more people than ever this year.
“It’s the Christmas spirit in action as we see the power of football in spades – with clubs spreading cheer in their communities.
“Scottish football is trusted to support, and our recent research shows that almost 83% of people live within ten miles of a SPFL ground – because of this clubs and their associated community trusts are well positioned to effect this type of change in their communities.
“This year 43 SPFL clubs are involved making it our biggest programme yet, supported by a record-breaking fund of £133,000. We look forward to supporting more elderly people than ever before, after all kindness never mattered more.”
– December 2022