Hearts and Hibs team up with Tesco to provide meals for those in need during the Christmas period

In previous years, Tesco has partnered with the charitable arms of the two clubs who opened their stadiums on Christmas Day to provide a meal for vulnerable members of society.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, both clubs have decided to team up with the supermarket chain to create and deliver Christmas food parcels to families in need and those in isolation across Edinburgh.

Tesco has committed £1,000 of food and other essential items to each club to allow them to create Christmas meals, which will be distributed by the clubs over the festive period.

Lloyd Ovenstone, store manager at the Tesco superstore in Corstorphine said: “I think that this year, the work we do with both clubs to help communities is even more vital than ever. More and more people need this support and we’re offering £1,000 worth of goods to each club to ensure that we can help as many people in Edinburgh as we can.”

Big Hearts Community Trust will be distributing festive meals to socially isolated older people and households in poverty across Edinburgh. Hearts fans and Tesco volunteers will also be calling those most vulnerable on Christmas Day to share some festive spirit.

Craig Wilson, General Manager at Big Hearts Community Trust, said: “We know Christmas time will be challenging for many more families this year so we’re grateful to Tesco for their continued support to Big Hearts.

“The donated funds will allow our charity to support more people than in previous years, and offer over 300 vulnerable individuals the chance to enjoy a free festive meal from the comfort of their own homes.”

The Hibernian Community Foundation will be donating the food parcels on Christmas Day for vulnerable members of society, as well as families who don’t have enough to get them through the festive period.

Charlie Bennett, CEO of Hibernian Community Foundation, said: “Throughout the year, the support we have received from our local Tesco store in Leith has been fantastic and absolutely crucial to the important work we do.

“Since the pandemic took hold, their support has helped us to deliver hundreds of bags of food to families across Edinburgh who have been significantly impacted by Covid-19.”

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