MND Scotland Day

“I NEVER THOUGHT THAT ONE DAY I WOULD HAVE THE SAME ILLNESS THAT MARIUS HAD”

Lifelong Heart of Midlothian supporter, Stevie Morris, was left stunned when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) earlier this year.

Before being diagnosed with MND,

Stevie used to attend every Hearts game, both home and away, but due to his worsening condition, is sadly unable to travel to watch away games anymore.

“Hearts has always been a huge part of my life. It’s really important to me and I used to love travelling to the games on the Livingston Hearts supporter’s bus, but I can’t do that now. The walk to the ground from the bus is just too far. Even going to home games, I have to get dropped off right at the entrance. Right now,

I am still able to get down to the pub on a Sunday to watch other TV games, something I’m still really glad I can do.”

Stevie first suspected something was wrong during a round of golf, when he experienced a freezing cold sensation in his foot, something which seemed even more unusual given the warm weather on the day. “From visiting my doctor to being diagnosed took around nine months in total. There was a lot of testing involved and other things that had to be ruled out. At first I thought it

Stevie with his wife Mary on holiday Stevie meeting Marius

Stevie and his son Craig proudly wearing their Hearts strip on a boat trip

might have been a trapped nerve but sadly it was more serious than that.”

Stevie was diagnosed with the rapidly progressing terminal illness MND, in February 2021. MND can rob someone of the ability to walk, talk, eat or breathe unaided. The average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 18 months. There is no cure and no effective treatments.

Less than a year on, Stevie is now having difficulty getting up and down stairs, as well as relying on a breathing machine at night. “Being diagnosed with MND was devastating obviously. It just floored us and the whole family went through a period of complete disbelief. Although I found it very difficult to tell my family and friends, the hardest part was definitely having to tell my dad. For the past three games I’ve taken my dad for hospitality at Hearts, which has been an amazing experience for us both, and something very special we could do together.” Stevie and his family are extremely happy about the partnership between Hearts and MND Scotland which is raising crucial awareness and funds for the charity. “MND is a horrible disease. I never thought that one day I would have the same illness that Marius had. For my team to be involved in such a positive and direct way is tremendous. My life expectancy is now just a few months but what Hearts are doing will hopefully lead to a cure one day. I hope the money raised from the partnership will also allow MND Scotland to continue helping people in my situation. The support and services they provided me with really helped to take a load off my family – they are magnificent. “I hope the message gets through that MND can affect anyone. I’m a fan, who is there every week. I’m your midweek, go to Inverness or Ross County fan. I’m a fan that will have a sing a long on the supporters bus, and a beer before and after the match. Hearts are my team. My wish is that no one else misses out on future games because of MND.”

Iain McWhirter, MND Scotland’s

Head of Fundraising, said: “Our partnership with Hearts has been amazing so far, and both the club and its supporters have played an enormous role in our effort to raise vital awareness and funding, to help change the lives of people living with MND today. I want to thank Stevie for bravely speaking out about his story and sharing his experience with us.”

Become a corporate supporter today

Workplace Fundraising

Fundraising at work is a great way to help MND Scotland, and it’s also a great way to add a little fun to the office at the same time.

Events and challenges

We can get your teams involved in fantastic events like the Kiltwalk, Zip Slides, and Abseils. We can also create events just for you, and will support your staff every step of the way.

From our Fun Run which has more than 1,000 participants to our Cornflower Ball, we have many high profile activities that can give your company wide brand exposure whilst supporting one of Scotland’s leading charities.

Event Sponsorship Charity of the Year

There are many ways in which you can support the work of MND Scotland by involving your colleagues or employees, and we’ll work with you to create a tailored programme of activity with your company. Many business have chosen to adopt MND Scotland as their Charity of the Year, and we’d love to work with you.

Payroll Giving enables you to give to MND Scotland straight from your gross salary (before tax is deducted). If you give this way, you will receive an immediate tax relief of up to £5 for every £10 donated.

Payroll Giving

Gifts in Kind

Gifts we can always use include venues for Support Groups, print and design work, advertising space, and items we can use as auction or raffle prizes

Get in touch

To find out how your organisation can support MND Scotland, email morag.mcgown@mndscotland.org.uk or call us on 0141 332 3903, and help take us a step closer to a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT

The partnership between MND Scotland and Hearts has proven to be a perfect match and we’re proud to see it being so strongly embraced by the Jambos community.

Broxburn Hearts Supporters Club is just one of our incredible local clubs stepping out to support MND Scotland this year. Ahead of the Hearts Vs Dundee game played on October 23rd, members of the Broxburn Hearts completed a sponsored walk from Broxburn to Tynecastle to raise money for the charity. With an initial goal of £2,000, the Broxburn Hearts kicked off their sponsored trek at the Oatridge Hotel, before arriving at Tynecastle Stadium in time to cheer on their beloved team, having raised a massive £5,051.25.

This incredible amount of money will directly change the lives of people in Scotland who are living with motor neurone disease. It will help MND Scotland continue to fund ground-breaking research and provide life-changing services, that people diagnosed with MND in Scotland rely on. To mark their fantastic achievement, two of the fundraising A-team were presented with a ceremonial cheque by Hearts legend, Gary Locke, outside Tynecastle Stadium.

Get involved!

Why not get your local club involved and organise a fundraiser? Whether it’s a sponsored walk, dinner dance or keepie-uppie challenge – there are lots of ways you can show your support. MND Scotland’s fundraising team can provide you with t-shirts, buckets and more. Get

in touch with morag.mcgown@ mndscotland.org.uk, or visit www.mndscotland.org.uk to find out what’s happening.

PEOPLE WITH BIG HEARTS

Name: Kathy Crombie Role: Gift Back Hero

Our ‘People with Big Hearts’ feature this week is Kathy Crombie, a new Big Hearts Christmas Volunteer. She tells us why she signed up to be a Gift Back Hero this Christmas and gives us her thoughts on the initiative of Heart of Midlothian’s charity.

Big Hearts volunteers play a key-role in supporting those who may not get any presents to open on Christmas day. Gift Back Heroes provide small presents which are tailored to the interests of vulnerable individuals and contribute directly to their happiness over the festive season. As a new volunteer, this is Kathy’s first experience of the Gift Back Appeal, she said “I heard about this fantastic initiative after a friend shared the Big Hearts post on social media. I knew straight away I wanted to get involved. It was something that I could do easily, and I think it’s important to donate to smaller charities where you can see the difference that is made locally.” Each year Big Hearts aim to support members of the community who are at high risk of poverty or social isolation, over the festive season. Having previously been employed by a charity who works with vulnerable people, Kathy knows the importance of providing support. “This is such a brilliant concept and I hope it continues for many years! The fact you are matched to a person, makes it feel more personal and involved. Even though I don’t know the person, I got a great deal of pleasure looking for a suitable gift.”

Being a Gift Back Hero is an extremely important role. “It makes you feel valued for your contribution in a way that donating money doesn’t. It made me appreciate that it’s the thought behind the gift, rather than the amount you spend that is important. I don’t know the person I have bought a gift for, but knowing their gender and age made me feel like I was buying a gift for a friend!”

Kathy has really enjoyed her experience of being a Big Hearts volunteer. “I would really encourage others to become Gift Back Heroes! The team at Big Hearts provided me with some interests of the person I was buying for, which gave me lots of ideas for the perfect gift. Knowing that you will put a smile on someone’s face at Christmas is an amazing feeling.”

Thank you to Kathy for sharing her thoughts on our initiative and to all our Gift Back Heroes for continuing to support us and allowing Big Hearts to Deliver Christmas! Big Hearts hope to support over 500 local adults and children in crisis – and Hearts fans can get involved by emailing christmas@bighearts.org.uk.

WE COULD BE HEROES…

@bighearts @bigheartscommunity SC 037311 - www.bighearts.org.uk

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STEVE MEIKLEJOHN

I support Hearts because my dad is a lifelong supporter and I am originally from Edinburgh. I grew up supporting the club and my dad started taking me to games when I was young.

What was your first Hearts game?

My first game was at home to Partick Thistle in circa 1993/1994. We won 1-0 courtesy of John Millar, I also went to the away game that season when Mo Johnston scored the winner. My memories of my first game are a little vague as I was only 7 at the time, but even as a child I always associated Tynecastle with the brewery smell. But suffice to say I’ve been hooked ever since. At primary school in Edinburgh it was a mix of Hearts and Hibs with the odd (emphasis on odd) Old Firm fan thrown in.

In 1996 when, I was 9 years old, we moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands. Not any other Jambos in School (mostly glory hunters supporting Man U, Liverpool etc; nowadays probably Man City and Chelsea) it was actually a relief to meet Celtic and Rangers fans (never thought I’d say that- but at least other people who knew of, and were interested in, Scottish football). Back then we were rarely on TV, and you didn’t have things like internet, social media, Kickback, Hearts TV or dozens of Hearts podcasts; it made it hard to keep up with the club.

So, it wasn’t easy, but I stuck with it and despite not being taken to the two cup finals in 1996, my dad relented in 1998 and took me to the cup final, which I still count as one of the best days of my life along with getting married and my son being born. The scenes after the game in Gorgie will live with me forever. The next day we managed to go to the City Chambers as well but then had to get the bus to the airport as we were flying back to Jersey via Stansted that day. The bus went along Princes Street before it was closed for the parade. It was amazing being on the top deck of the bus going along Princes Street which was lined with maroon and white. I remember complaining to my dad that he had booked flights for that day and not the Monday so we could have seen the parade properly, but he was (quite rightly), after waiting 36 years of his life to see us lift the Scottish cup and having been at Dens in ‘86, not going to be so bold to book flights around a potential victory parade! I was also there in 2006 and 2012 and have been to Bordeaux, Braga and Anfield with Hearts.

Do you have any favourite memories when it comes to Hearts games you’ve been to?

from. Living away from Edinburgh there’s lots of big games I’ve missed; the 5-1 De Vries game, the Champions League qualifying game, the 4-0 v Celtic. I’ve been lucky though to have picked well and be at the 4-4 game, the Kevin Kyle one, several Easter Road victories (see below) the Paul Hartley and Craig Beattie semi-finals and the 3 winning cup finals and some great European ones as mentioned above.

What are your favourite away days, and why?

I have never seen us beaten at Easter Road whilst sat/stood in the away end and have seen a good few wins down there, including the 2-0 when Templeton ran past half the Hibs team, the 3-1 NY game when Rudi scored the third and the Olly Lee game. My favourite Easter Road one was actually a draw, when Zaliukas was sent off but we still salvaged a 2-2 draw thanks to Stephen Elliott, that was in the course of a 12 game unbeaten run against them (game 11 being the 5-1!). Otherwise, a favourite away trip is Inverness and a few of us have often made a weekend of it and stayed up there for a couple of nights. I’ve been associated with the Orwell Hearts Supporters Club for many years and have been to plenty of games with them.

How does Hearts affect your family and friendships - is football a big part of your life?

Hearts is a big part of my life, and my wife would probably say too big. I spend a lot of money on Hearts; whether it’s the season ticket I barely use because of geography, the monthly FOH pledge or money on travel to go to see Hearts or spend money in the shop. We have an 8-month-old son whose already been dressed in last season’s and this season’s strips. He has no choice and will be a Jambo! Even at 35-years-old my mood on a Saturday (or whenever we are playing) depends massively on the Hearts result!

Do you have any favourite players down the years, what can you remember about watching them play and did you ever meet any of your Hearts heroes?

Robbo is my original hearts hero; I was fortunate to catch the end of his career. My memories of him are that he just seemed to score all the time, particularly against Hibs. I met him once when I was young and got a photo, he was such a gentleman. I have met him few times since and it’s always a pleasure. A modern-day hero would have to be Rudi; he just got Hearts and his left peg was a thing of beauty.

What is the best thing about being a Hearts fan - and the worst?

The best thing about being a Hearts fan is just how much it means to us when we win something. I would honestly find life boring supporting one of the Old Firm; winning domestic trophies every year. The scenes in 1998, 2006 and 2012 were just magnificent. The worst thing? Maybe that we just don’t do that often enough; winning every 2 or 3 years would be nice rather than having gaps like the current one, coming up to 10 years!

What does it mean to you that Hearts are now a fan owned club?

Hearts being fan owned and being a part of the Foundation means a lot to me. The prospect of losing our club was unthinkable and I have pledged since day one. Receiving my plot certificate in the Gorgie Suite by Ann Budge in December 2017, and then having photos by the recently opened Main Stand, was an incredibly proud day.

What are your expectations for this campaign, and beyond?

30+ years of following the men in maroon has taught me not to get carried away. We do, however, have a strong squad and have decent cover in almost every position. On current form and the way the season has gone so far we should be confident of finishing third. I hoped we could have given the Old Firm a challenge for a bit longer, but the gap has unfortunately widened too much already (I am typing this after watching us lose to Celtic, in no small part thanks to some hopeless officiating!). Adding a fourth Scottish Cup in my lifetime to the trophy cabinet would be a nice end to the season though!

BOYS IN MA ROOM

One of the few benefits of lockdown for COVID-19 was that it gave Hearts fans all over the country no excuse to procrastinate any further in building that shrine to all things Heart of Midlothian that they had always promised themselves over the years. Over the course of the rest of the season, Hearts fans with rooms or sheds or garages devoted to the men in maroon allow us a glimpse.

As you’ll see from the pictures on these pages, Scott Wightman’s room at Home in Edinburgh is a veritable Aladdin’s cave of Hearts memorabilia. “It was a new house with a spare room so from the word go, it was going to be a Hearts room. I had most of the stuff already so it was reasonably easy to set it up”. Framed programmes hang alongside posters, postcards and team groups. A pair of match worn signed boots sit alongside a bookcase groaning under the weight of the Hearts books. There’s a cap commemorating the 2012 Cup win alongside a china mug from the 1950’s. So what are Scott’s favourite pieces ? “My framed Centenary poster from 1974 is one of them alongside my 1998 framed Cup Final signed shirt and a personalised cartoon from the Evening News cartoonist Gilzean”. There’s one item Scott doesn’t have and which he’s keen to find – the biography of John Cumming by which was published a few years ago. Items come from eBay, from the club shop and from friends and family. And what does Jacki think ? “Well, she didn’t have much choice but to be fair, she’s a Hearts fan too and has added some items too”

If you have a Hearts room or shed or garage you’d like to be featured in “Boys in ma Room”, drop an email to gc@falcon-chambers.com and we’ll be in touch.