Hibernian have appealed to local businesses to back their "Kicks for Kids" initiative – which has allowed thousands of disadvantaged young people to watch matches at Easter Road.
The club themselves are to lead the way by donating 20 season tickets which will be used by Edinburgh-based charities over the coming campaign.
Last season more than 1,800 children and young adults benefited from the scheme which has been running for the last eight years, which aims to provide access to football at Easter Road for financially disadvantaged young people in the local area.
The Pilton Youth & Children’s Project (PYCP) were awarded four Season Tickets last season, which were donated by the Proclaimers. Across the season 80 young people from Pilton enjoyed live football at Easter Road.
Brian Greatorex, youth and children's worker from PYCP, said: "The majority of youngsters who attend PYCP are Hibs fans. Due to socio-economic factors, including high levels of unemployment, many of the young people cannot afford to attend many matches. In fact some involved with Kicks for Kids had never managed to get along to Easter Road before."
“Another way Hibernian have supported PYCP is to allow two youngsters to attend matches as ‘Youth Journalists’. This was a rewarding experience and the youngsters had their articles published in a local newspaper. The partnership has been heart-warming to witness and we look forward to building on the positive work from this season into next.”
A Hibs spokesperson said: "I am delighted to reveal the club will donate 20 season tickets as part of our wider community engagement strategy that will roll out next season with the aim of providing further access to football at Easter Road for members of the community who simply cannot afford the luxury of attending football matches on a regular basis.
"The initiative continues to be very rewarding for all involved – not least the hundreds of children who have benefited from the generosity of our sponsors over the years."
Members of Hibs.net, a leading online supporters' forum, which bought 16 half-season tickets last December, have promised to support the project again and anyone interested in supporting the initiative should contact Sue McLernon, Community Manager, on 0131-656-7076.
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