Hearts Presents A Cheque To Chief Executive Of Erskine

Hearts presented official charity partner Erskine with a cheque for £15,000 – symbolising the amount of money raised in the first half of the season by it's supporters.

The £15,00 has been raised via Season Ticket fundraising campaign, Hall of Fame auction and raffle, official charity Christmas cards, several can collections, Shareholder’s Association donation, and various individual Supporters’ Clubs.

Major Jim Panton, Erskine’s Chief Executive, received the cheque from Hearts managing director, Campbell Ogilvie, during the half-time interval in the Clydesdale Premier League fixture against Aberdeen at Tynecastle stadium in January.

Major Panton said: “This is an amazing total for the half way point of the season. All of the veterans in our Homes across the country are extremely grateful to Hearts for their continued support.

“As a military charity we rely heavily on donations without which we would not be able to offer the high standard of care to the men and women who have served our country.”

Campbell Ogilvie added: “I believe that our forefathers at Tynecastle – both players and supporters who gave their lives – would be honoured at the way everyone who has a passion for Hearts has honoured them.

This is a terrific amount of money, and judging by the plans in place between now and the end of the season thousands of pounds more are likely to be raised through a whole range of activities.

“A hugely innovative partnership this may be, but its success can be wholly attributed to our supporters who understand our unique relationship with the Forces.”

Hearts and Hibs Put Rivalry Aside For Erskine

At the first Edinburgh derby of the season, the capital’s two teams, Heart of Midlothian Football Club and Hibernian Football Club put rivalry to the side to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The first clash of the season, played the day before Remembrance Sunday, allowed the clubs and their fans to hold in minute silence in Remembrance and welcome 16 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, onto the pitch at half time.

The soldiers, made up of Hearts and Hibs fans, were warmly applauded by supporters during half time interval.

Before the match supporters of both clubs were invited to make a donation, via a bucket collection, for the veterans’ charity Erskine – Hearts official charity partner for season 09/10 – with help of Hearts supporters and soldiers from 1 SCOTS.

Major Jim Panton, chief executive of Erskine, said: “I would like to thank Hearts and Hibs for momentarily setting aside their rivalry by working together for the benefit of our veterans. With this support we can ensure that future veterans receive the highest standard of care possible.”

Hearts managing director Campbell Ogilvie said: “We are delighted to be continuing to promote the work of Erskine, and are glad that this opportunity presented itself today to provide national coverage to their tremendous work.”

Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian Join Forces In Aid Of Veterans

As part of the countdown to tomorrow’s first Edinburgh derby of the season, the capital’s two teams, Heart of Midlothian Football Club and Hibernian Football Club, put aside their rivalry to promote Erskine and Poppyscotland, the leading ex-Service charities in Scotland.

The first clash of the season between the Edinburgh clubs will have all of the excitement, drama and passion that fans have come to expect, but as the match will be played the day before Remembrance Sunday the two clubs will also show their respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

As Michael Stewart and Chris Hogg stood side by side with four soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, it was announced that local soldiers who support Hearts and Hibernian will be invited to the match and welcomed onto the pitch at half time.

Major Jim Panton, chief executive of Erskine said “I would like to thank Hearts and Hibs for momentarily setting aside their rivalry by working together for the benefit of our veterans. We must remember that there are young men and women, many of them supporters of these two clubs, putting their lives on the line for our country today. With this support we can ensure that future veterans receive the highest standard of care possible.”

Hearts managing director Campbell Ogilvie said, “We are looking forward to this weekend’s game at Tynecastle, and the opportunity it gives both clubs and our supporters to show our tremendous respect to the work of Erskine and Poppyscotland, along with the thousands of soldiers who have served their country and continue to do so.”

Scott Lindsay, Chief Executive Hibernian FC added: “The timing of the first Edinburgh derby this season allows the clubs to highlight the fundamentally important role Poppyscotland and Erskine play in the lives of servicemen and women, and to raise awareness of the importance of buying a Poppy and contributing to the Erskine collection. We hope the soldiers supporting both teams enjoy what I am sure will be an exciting match on Saturday.”

Ian McGregor, chief executive of Poppyscotland, commented: “We are delighted that Hearts and Hibs are supporting the Scottish Poppy Appeal by wearing the famous poppy emblem on their shirts this weekend. With many veterans returning from active service suffering from multiple and complex issues Poppyscotland needs to raise funds to provide vital year-round support. “We are proud to be working with the clubs to raise awareness and to be continuing our collaboration with Erskine, who have received over £1 million from Poppyscotland in the past five years to help provide care to veterans. I hope that football fans will support the Scottish Poppy Appeal and Erskine to ensure that veterans and their families across Scotland receive the help they deserve.”

Before the match at Tynecastle tomorrow, supporters of both clubs will be invited to make a donation via a bucket collection for Erskine.

At half-time solders of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, representing both clubs will parade on the pitch taking the acclaim of all supporters.

L-R Lance Corporal Jamie Thomson; Hearts Captain Michael Stewart, Highlander Troy Felix; Private Iain Donnelly; Hibs captain Chris Hogg & Lance Corporal Lee Newman

L-R Lance Corporal Lee Newman; Private Iain Donnelly; Hearts Captain Michael Stewart; Highlander Troy Felix & Lance Corporal Jamie Thomson

Official Hearts Christmas Card 2009

Officers and men of 26th Divisional Ammunition Train playing football during WWI in Salonika.

Size 210mm x 148mm

1 pack (10 cards) £4.95

Special offer 3 packs £12.00

To order the Official Hearts Christmas Cards, please visit our online shop .

Image kindly supplied by permission of The Imperial War Museum. Image no. Q31574

Heart Of Midlothian Fans Dig Deep For Erskine's Edinburgh Veterans

Loyal supporters of Heart of Midlothian FC (Hearts) have dug deep in their pockets to raise money for two specialist exercise bikes for the Erskine Edinburgh Home.

The bikes were presented to Major Jim Panton, Chief Executive of Erskine, and Janet Leith, Head Physiotherapist, by Campbell Ogilvie, Managing Director of Hearts during halftime at the first home game against Rangers on Sunday. Four soldiers from the Army Recovery Centre at the Erskine Edinburgh Home, including life long hearts fan L/Cpl Robert Reid, also took to the pitch to show their appreciation to the fans.

The occasion was also marked by a special display by the Golden Lions Parachute Display team who landed on the famous Tynecastle pitch!

Hearts fans kicked off their fundraising challenge in April this year when the SPL club announced Erskine as its official charity partner for season 2009/10.

Hearts fan warmly accepted the veterans’ charity into its family and in just over four months raised more than £5,300 to purchase two Motomed Movement Therapy Bikes for the Erskine Edinburgh Home in Gilmerton, which is due to open a new expansion next month.

Janet Leith said: “This is a fantastic gift from Hearts which enabled Physiotherapy at Erskine Edinburgh to purchase state-of-the-art equipment. It will mean we can provide the best equipment possible for the veterans in the Edinburgh expansion. We are delighted that the Hearts supporters rose to the challenge so admirably.”

Campbell Ogilvie said “I look forward to working in partnership with Erskine, helping them to raise their profile as well as much needed funds for the veterans they care for. I am proud that the fans have welcomed Erskine as our charity partner at a time when brave men and women are putting their lives on the line for our country.”

(L-R) Major Roddy Sutherland, Officer Commanding ARC; Major Jim Panton, Chief Executive of Erskine; Rifleman Leigh Spence; Janet Leith, Head Physiotherapist at Erskine; Lance Corporal Steven Arundel; Campbell Ogilvie, Managing Director of Hearts and Lance Corporal Robert Reid"



Golden Lions parachute into Tynecastle


Erskine Flag Bearers