Hibs’ decision to display the words ‘Thank You NHS’ on the front of their jerseys next season has been reported on CNN Sport in the USA.
Sports reporter Ben Morse highlighted the gesture in an article with the headline ‘Scottish soccer club’s expression of thanks to NHS is very close to the heart.’
Earlier this week, the club decided to take the opportunity to express thanks of the entire Hibs and football community to the magnificent health service for the heroic, selfless and dedicated efforts of its staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
The club spoke to senior management at both NHS Scotland and NHS Lothian, and the gesture was warmly received.
The words of thanks will adorn the new home shirts, and supporters will be asked to pay the sum of £5 to have the transfer applied, with all profits being donated to our local NHS charity, Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation.
In addition, the first home league game will be “Thank You NHS Day” and the club will welcome hundreds of NHS staff along as our guests.
The club is planning further fundraising throughout the season and expects to hand over a six-figure donation to the NHS charity by the end of the season. In addition, the club is donating a minimum of 100 tickets to NHS staff for all home matches, with fans being invited to participate in fundraising to help fund more.
The kit is available now and the orders will be fulfilled when the strips are delivered to us in July.
Ronald Gordon, Hibernian Chairman, 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.
Tim Davison, Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, also welcomed the idea, saying; “This is a big-hearted move from Hibernian Football Club and I know that all our staff and patients will greatly appreciate the generosity and thoughtfulness of this wonderful gesture. We are proud of our amazing teamwork at NHS Lothian too, so are delighted and grateful that a club with such strong local community roots should honour us in this way.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
