Hibs will honour NHS workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic with a special message on their shirts for next season.
The Edinburgh side’s jerseys will be emblazoned with the words “Thank You NHS” when the next Premiership season eventually gets underway.
As well as being worn on the pitch, the home strips will be available for fans to pre-order this week ahead of release in July.
The £5 fee to have the message printed on the shirt will be donated to the Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation.
The club will also be working in partnership with NHS Lothian and Hibernian Community Foundation to deliver engagement and service in the local community.
Club chairman Ronald Gordon 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.”
🗣 "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much."
🆕 Hibernian FC is today delighted to announce that the club will proudly bear the words “Thank You NHS” on the front of our new shirts when next season does get underway.
— Hibernian FC (@HibernianFC) April 23, 2020
The first league game back at Easter Road will be designated “Thank You NHS Day”, with hundreds of NHS staff invited as guests. 100 tickets for each home game throughout the season will also be devoted to health workers.
The club is also planning further fundraising and expects to hand over a six-figure donation to the NHS charity by the end of the season.
Scotland’s Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick, said: “The dedicated NHS workforce are under unprecedented pressure as they deal with the impact of the pandemic.
“I welcome this excellent initiative by Hibernian FC, which will allow the club and its supporters to say thank you to the NHS. This generous gesture – which will be supported by further fundraising activity – will also see tickets given to NHS staff for home games, and a donation to Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation.
“As well as joining Hibs in thanking the NHS staff, I applaud the club for this wonderful idea – it highlights the positive impact football can have on a range of issues.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe