I’ll deliver the goodies

By KENNY MILLAR

JAM tarts are off the menu for Hearts star Jamie Walker.

Instead, doughnuts are the order of the day in the most bizarre fundraising suggestion yet to boost the crisis club.

Winger Walker was asked by internet forum JambosKickback to hand-deliver a box of sought-after Krispy Kreme treats to the highest bidder, which raked in a cool £200.

The 20-year-old also earned another £100 from a kickabout with kids.

The born and bred Jambo will do whatever it takes to play his part in the battle for the club’s survival.

Walker — winner of SunSport’s Top Man award for his performances in maroon last season — said: “I’m trying to do my bit for Hearts, like so many other people just now.

“Last Saturday I delivered doughnuts to Gavin Slawson, who paid £200 through JambosKickback. It’s the strangest fundraising idea I’ve heard.

“I’m a fan of Krispy Kremes — like a few of the boys — and it was money well spent. I stayed for half an hour to have a chat and polished off a few myself!

“The next day I went to Saughton Park to have a kickabout with a few young supporters and that raised a bit of money too. Every little helps.

“The fans have been unbelievable with their generosity. A rally at Tynecastle on Sunday raised over £30,000 alone.

“When you speak to them you get an appreciation of what the club means to people. That’s why we won’t go under.”

Fourteen members of the backroom staff were made redundant, while striker John Sutton rejoined Motherwell after knocking back the offer of a pay cut.

Walker added: “I received a phone call when I was on holiday to fill me in on all the news.

“My family and friends were worried for me and you need money to get by, but you can’t be selfish in these situations. A lot of people were affected by what happened.

“It was hugely disappointing but I can’t say I was shocked. We all knew things were tight.

“It was fantastic to see the senior boys lead by example and take pay cuts, which shows it’s not just the fans who have Hearts at heart.

“I’ve been here since I was nine years old. This is all I know and I want to stay here and develop.

“It sounds daft given everything but we are really looking forward to the start of the season.”

Hearts will start it with a 15-point penalty and, given the threadbare squad at boss Gary Locke’s disposal, they look favourites for the drop.

But Walker insisted: “Every one of us believes that we can stay up and we’re all looking forward to the challenge.

“Tynecastle will be packed every second week — starting with the Edinburgh derby.

“We’re all united behind one cause.”

The off-field unrest took the shine off a breakthrough campaign for Walker, whose sparkling showings helped him win a Scotland Under-21 call-up.

He added: “I want to build on last season, which was the best of my career.

“I thought I did reasonably well but I know I’ve a long way to go.”