Foundation of Hearts donate extra cash to Hearts during coronavirus shutdown

FoH chairman Stuart Wallace and Hearts owner Ann Budge.

Foundation of Hearts have donated extra cash to Heart of Midlothian to help during the coronavirus shutdown. Money from increased pledges has been passed on as the fan-led group urged supporters to unite behind their club.

The Foundation’s total donations to Hearts recently passed the £10million mark. They normally give around £120,000 to the Tynecastle Park coffers each month but that amount increased by several thousand pounds in this month’s transaction.

They hope to do likewise again next month and are eager for supporters to stand behind Hearts with football suspended and income badly hit.

The recent SPFL vote to end Scotland’s football season will result in the Edinburgh club being relegated if league reconstruction fails, and FoH stated now is the time for fans to back the cause in Gorgie.

In a letter to members, the Foundation chairman Stuart Wallace echoed the anger expressed by Hearts owner Ann Budge at how the vote was managed.

He wrote: “This email comes at a time of huge challenge with the ongoing public health crisis, and let me begin by giving all supporters the very best wishes of the Foundation. Please do stay safe and stay well.

“Unfortunately this huge challenge for society has been compounded for those of us in the Scottish football world by the incompetence displayed in recent days by those in positions of authority within our governing body.

“At a time when we expected individuals with influence and power to provide leadership and innovative strategies to support our footballing community and bring it together, sadly we have witnessed actions which have delivered the very opposite.

“We expected better, but today the Scottish footballing community is divided and is beset with rancour and suspicion.

“I think we can all share the club chairman’s view that we are disappointed and bitterly disillusioned. We can, too, welcome her statement that the fight goes on. In this, we stand strong with the club.

“Hearts supporters know what it is to be knocked down, to be battered and bruised. But we also know what it is to face the challenges together, to rise again, and to come back united and even stronger.

“On this front, I should also report that the Foundation was able to increase its payment to the club this month on the back of increased pledges.

“After battling through the challenges we faced only a few short years ago, I would ask that we continue to be united and continue to demonstrate the extraordinary resilience and spirit for which Hearts supporters are rightly renowned. We, the fans, remain the one true constant.

“Let’s stick together, let’s stick with our wonderful football club, and whatever may transpire over the coming weeks and months, let’s show the world that we are, as ever, always Hearts.”