Fly the Flag: How Hearts and Hibs fans can take part in campaign to show support for NHS and charities

Fans are urged to back the #FlyTheFlag campaign

Fans of Hearts and Hibs and other Edinburgh-based teams have been urged to take part in a new campaign aimed at showing solidarity with NHS staff and charity workers.

Supporters of all Edinburgh clubs are asked to back the #FlyTheFlag campaign and represent their team’s colours by wearing scarves and shirts and waving flags at 3pm on Saturday March 28 – the traditional football kick-off time.

Fans are invited to take photos or videos of themselves in their colours and then upload the pictures and footage to social media with the hashtag #FlyTheFlag to show support for key workers on the front line during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Donations can also be made to one of the campaign’s chosen charities if fans are able to.

A spokesperson for Snack Media, the organisation behind the campaign, said: “We are looking for clubs, governing bodies, publishers and sports stars to get involved in the campaign to unite people at this time of uncertainty when many vulnerable people are in isolation and anxious about the future.

“Through the campaign, donations can be made to any charity and given the current coronavirus crisis we wish to offer particular support to the NHS Charities COVID-19 Urgent Appeal and Age UK.”

Niall Coen, CEO of Snack Media, added: “In difficult times, sport is often a way to escape into a different reality and to feel a sense of community and belonging.

“For a long time, we’ve not needed this feeling quite as much as we do now.

“That’s why we’re working hard to bring the community together, and we invite everyone to participate by flying your flag, wearing your colours and donating to charities who need support during this crisis. It’s important that we all support the essential workers who are in the front line of the battle to fight the virus.

“We will beat Coronavirus and when we do, sport will bring us all together once more.

“But for now, we can all show unity and feel connected again by flying our flags from 3pm onwards on Saturday, 28th March and thereafter.”