Hearts beat Gers with UK recognition

By BARRY ANDERSON
Published on Saturday 25 February 2012 12:10

HEARTS have beaten Rangers by becoming the first British football club to retain a Community Mark award for their role within the local community.

The club’s Big Hearts Community Trust has again been recognised for its efforts across Edinburgh and the Lothians by achieving the Community Mark award first issued in 2008. The award is the UK’s only national standard that publicly recognises business excellence in community investment.

Rangers also earned the award four years ago but have not gained a renewal, leaving Hearts as the sole British football club to hold the Community Mark status. Hearts officials received the award at a celebratory lunch in London, attended by members of the Royal Family and leading politicians.

“The renewal of our award is a fantastic achievement and shows that Heart of Midlothian FC is a club which has the wellbeing of the wider community at its very core,” said Tam Hendry, head of corporate responsibility, Big Hearts Community Trust. “That this prestigious award is only given to a small number of premier brand UK companies is evidence of the quality and commitment of Hearts to being a positive force in the community and is recognition for the good work done every day by the club’s employees and supporters.”

In retaining the award, Hearts joined an elite group of companies including Deloitte LLP, and Marks and Spencer.

Through the Big Hearts Community Trust, the club has engaged in a range of programmes such as the Aegon Breakfast Clubs in primary schools, as well as raising money for charities like Maggie’s Centre, and launching grassroots coaching courses for kids plus a full programme of education and employment initiatives.

Taken from the Scotsman