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Hibernian to don 'Thank you NHS' on the front of their new home shirts

  /  autty

Hibernian will bear the words 'Thank You NHS' on the front of their new home shirts for next season in a tribute to the healthcare system.

The Scottish Premier League club will show their support for the frontline workers risking their lives to help fight the coronavirus pandemic in the UK.

They also announced that their first home league game will be 'Thank You NHS Day' and will welcome hundreds of NHS staff along as guests at the fixture.

The tribute will be printed on new home kits and supporters will be asked to pay £5 to have the transfer applied, with all profits being donated to local NHS charity, Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation.

The SPL side also hope to hand over a six-figure donation with further fundraising efforts throughout the season and will make a minimum of 100 free tickets available to NHS staff for all of our home matches.

Hibs Chairman Ronald Gordon said: 'In sport we celebrate our heroes and our stars.

'The NHS have shown they are our true heroes and our stars – they have valiantly cared for and nurtured us through the most difficult and challenging health crisis of our lives.

'Their efforts on behalf of all of us, which still continue today, have been magnificent and Hibernian wants to say thank you and celebrate them in the most meaningful way that we can.

'Additionally, we will be raising money and inviting NHS heroes to our games at Easter Road, and the club and our players will be working with our friends and colleagues at NHS Lothian to deliver a programme of health promotion and community service that will raise awareness and inform our entire community.

'I’m very proud, because this initiative speaks to the character and purpose of Hibernian Football Club.'

Scotland's Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick added: 'The dedicated NHS workforce are under unprecedented pressure as they deal with the impact of the pandemic.

'I welcome this excellent initiative by Hibernian FC, which will allow the club and its supporters to say thank you to the NHS.

'This generous gesture – which will be supported by further fundraising activity – will also see tickets given to NHS staff for home games, and a donation to Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation.

'As well as joining Hibs in thanking the NHS staff, I applaud the club for this wonderful idea – it highlights the positive impact football can have on a range of issues.'

Chief executive Leeann Dempster said she was certain Hibs fans would get behind the cause in their thousands.

'Our front-of-shirt sponsorship is our most visible and valuable sponsorship opportunity and we thought this season of all seasons we needed to show our appreciation to the NHS.

'For the avoidance of any doubt, this initiative does not cost the public purse one penny. It has been helped enormously by a small group of supporters who supported us in the idea and we are grateful to them all.'

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