Tag: Big Hearts

Big Hearts break records as they raise £21,115 at annual fundraising Gala

Big Hearts, the official charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, raised £21,115 at the Big Hearts Gala at Tynecastle on Saturday 9 September. 

The Big Hearts Gala is one of the biggest fundraising events in the charity’s calendar, and this year they have raised more than ever before, with all money going towards helping them to support people in their community. 

The amount raised at this year’s Gala is double the amount of than last year.

Guests at the glittering event got a valuable insight into Big Hearts’ vital work across the community. 

They learned about the That’s Me! group, which aims to make a positive impact on teenagers and young adults, aged 12 to 18, who could benefit from wellbeing support.

On top of this, guests were in the presence of legends as Paul Hartley, Darren Barr and Mark de Vries were all present in the Gorgie Suite as guest speakers.

The Big Hearts Gala is a celebration of the power of the club’s badge in changing lives in communities across south west Edinburgh. 

As well as the funds raised from over 250 tickets sold, there were live and silent auctions, in which signed Hearts shirts, golf days and hotel stays were auctioned. 

Craig Wilson, CEO at Big Hearts, said: “We are over the moon to have raised £21,115 at the Big Hearts Gala this year.

“It is one of our biggest fundraising efforts and I’m grateful to everyone who bought tickets and took part in our auctions. 

“The money raised will go a long way in our mission to help improve the lives of people in our community.” 

Fans at the Gala were delighted to meet three Hearts legends. Brian Chapman shared shared his excitement after hearing some of their stories. 

“I am too young to have seen Mark de Vries play, but I was lucky enough to see Paul Hartley play. It was a really good moment to get a picture with him and actually see him in-front of my own eyes.

 “I took part in the Hampden to Tynecastle charity walk and, along with three friends, raised £2500 for Big Hearts. I am here tonight to continue to show support after that.

“The charity does a lot of good work, and as we’ve heard tonight, poverty in Gorgie is among the highest in Edinburgh.”

Mark de Vries is fondly remembered by Hearts fans for his four goals on his debut against Hibs. He was glad to be back in Gorgie. 

“It has been great to be back in Edinburgh and back at Tynecastle” he said.

“I loved my time here, so it has been an honour to come back as a guest of Big Hearts. 

“I have been made to feel so welcome and it has been amazing to learn about the work of Big Hearts.”

Big Hearts is the only non-profit organisation based at the home of Heart of Midlothian FC. 

The charity delivers free activities for adults and children to improve outcomes around mental health, social isolation and promote equal opportunities.

It costs Big Hearts over £600,000 each year to build and deliver programmes and services to the communities living in the surroundings of Tynecastle Park, one of the most disadvantaged wards of Edinburgh.

North British Distillery announces limited release of rare 60-year-old charity whisky

The North British Distillery (NBD) has released a uniquely packaged run of 60-year-old Single Grain Scotch Whisky, with all proceeds going to charity.

Distilled in 1960, the liquid for this rare expression comes from a single cask, which lay resting in the NBD warehouse in the outskirts of Edinburgh for 60 years. Bottled at natural cask strength of 50.6% ABV, the release is limited to just 60 individually numbered bottles.

Each has been hand filled into an elegant wax dipped decanter and packaged in a luxury moleskin coffret, which comes complete with a signed certificate of authenticity.

Available to purchase for £3,000 + VAT, the NBD aims to raise £60,000 for each of the three charities it is supporting in 2023 – Big Hearts, Scottish Autism and Four Square.

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

Managing director of NBD, Alan Kilpatrick, said: “North British is a modern company founded on traditional values. We’ve manufactured whisky for 138 years and recycle our by-products for animal feed and electricity. We value our roots and respect our environment, which is why it’s important for us to give back to the community around us as we safeguard our future.

“We have a long history of supporting local charities, which is something we’re really proud of. This 60-year-old gives us, and whisky lovers and collectors around the world, a chance to boost these fundraising efforts and make a real difference.

“Creating great whisky for three great causes, the 60-year-old is the perfect harmony of flavours, with rich spiced fruit, deep oak, and velvety caramel notes. With every sip, you can indulge in one of the finest grain whiskies, having secured an exclusive piece of North British Distillery history while supporting these important causes.”

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

Established in 1885 on the outskirts of Edinburgh, The North British Distillery is one of Scotland’s oldest and largest Scotch Grain Whisky producers. It serves leading brands across the world where its grain whisky forms a key component of many well-known blends, but rarely releases eponymous single grain whiskies straight to the consumer.

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

Having supported neighbouring charity Big Hearts, the official charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, for over five years, proceeds from the 60-year-old sale will raise vital funds to help bring community resources together to offer adults and children at risk of social isolation and poverty free opportunities to help them live a safe and fulfilling life.

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

New charity partners Scottish Autism and homeless charity Four Square will also benefit from the bottling, with an equal share of all proceeds.

The North British Distillery 60-year-old Single Grain Scotch Whisky is now available to purchase for £3,000 + VAT per 70cl bottle: nb60.squarespace.com/

The nights are fair drawin’ in: Free events to highlight support available

In partnership with @BigHearts & @HibsinCommunity Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership will be running two free-to-attend events on the east and west of the city, next week (10 Nov).

The events will be a chance to discover a range of support available to help individuals and families this winter.

The Changing Room for young women

The Changing Room for young women delivered in partnership with partners @SAMHtweets at Easter Road Stadium has a new start date later this month.

See above for more info on the latest 12 week courses and for contact details.

Big Hearts: Gorgie charity opens new helplines

Big Hearts, the charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, is shifting their activity to focus on phone and online support, through new dedicated helplines launched today.

Over the past two weeks the Big Hearts’ team of nine staff has been working on alternative ways to maintain their vital work to local groups at a high risk of loneliness, poor mental health, complex family backgrounds and food poverty.

The new Big Hearts helplines are designed to provide regular support over the phone and use digital means to address people’s urgent needs – whilst ensuring the safety of all staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.

Based at Tynecastle Stadium, the charity supports more than 150 vulnerable adults and children on a weekly basis, through a range of programmes including the Kinship Care after school club, The Changing Room project and Football Memories for over 65s.

Craig Wilson, Big Hearts General Manager said: “On 13 March we decided to suspend all our face to face activity to ensure everyone’s safety. Our staff team has been working remotely, completing hundreds of calls to families, isolated adults and older people to assess their immediate needs and offer some guidance and support.

“After a couple of weeks working in this new setting, we are delighted to announce a new series of landline numbers that people can call for a confidential chat and some targeted support.”

Kinship Care Helpline: 0131 603 4927
Advice on parenting strategies, peer support & service referrals for local kinship care families.

The Changing Room at Hearts: 0131 603 4929
Mental health support, wellbeing info and regular peer support in partnership with SAMH.

Community Helpline: 0131 603 4928
Social connection & advice for beneficiaries and volunteers at risk of loneliness & poverty.

www.bighearts.org.uk

Kinship superheroes enjoy a day at Tynecastle

Carers enjoyed a special day out at Hearts’ Tynecastle stadium earlier this week when the Gorgie club’s Big Hearts charity welcomed more than 300 guests at their fifth Kinship Care Family Day.

Monday’s free open day at Tynecastle Stadium offered kinship care families a host of fun activities to enjoy on the last day of the autumn school break. Hosted by Big Hearts, the event celebrated the resilience of children and adults living in a kinship setting.

As the charity wing of the football club, Big Hearts uses football to raise awareness of kinship care and identify vulnerable families in need of support.

https://youtu.be/TbJ1ldi7IPs

Craig Wilson, Big Hearts’ general manager, said: “At Big Hearts, we believe kinship carers are unsung super heroes who are doing an amazing job to raise and build a happy life for the young person they care for.

“Our charity has been helping kinship care families thrive since 2015 and we are committed to continue our work to increase public awareness and reach out to many of these hidden families who could benefit from practical or emotional support.”

There was a great variety of fun activities on offer: face painting, owls, arts & crafts, a detective workshop, magic shows, zorbing, stadium tours and multi-sports were among the most popular.

Children & adults also enjoyed a tasty buffet lunch and the opportunity to meet organisations and projects providing services and activities in the community.

The event celebrated Big Hearts’ Kinship Care programme which delivers a range of comprehensive support for young people and their kinship carers.