The name of charity Save the Children will appear on the strips of Scottish Championship side Heart of Midlothian for the next three seasons, "after the Edinburgh club announced an historic tie-up with the charity on Wednesday," according to Ewan Murray of the London GUARDIAN. A group of anonymous Hearts-supporting businesspeople contacted club Owner Ann Budge "several months ago with a view to offering financial support." The upshot was a unique deal whereby what Budge confirmed as a "significant seven-figure sum" will be split between the charity and football club. Hearts will become the first U.K. side "to carry the name of a worldwide charity" on its home and away tops after rejecting standard shirt-sponsorship opportunities. Budge: "The benefactors are wholly supportive of the way in which the club is being rebuilt and the values that underpin its activities." This "marks the latest move in the restoration of Hearts’ reputation after Budge bought the club from administration last year" (GUARDIAN, 4/1). The Scotland DAILY RECORD reported a separate donation from the benefactors "will enable Save the Children to deliver much-needed support to children and families throughout Edinburgh in a manner that compliments the activities of the club's charitable arm, the Big Hearts Trust" (DAILY RECORD, 4/1).
