Hearts’ second annual MND Scotland Day hits back of the net with £35,000 raised 

On Sunday 7th May, Heart of Midlothian F.C. and Celtic F.C. joined forces in the battle against motor neuron disease (MND) by holding their second annual MND Scotland Day at Tynecastle Park. 

With both teams wearing special MND Scotland shirts in memory of club legends lost to MND during their warm-up and MND Scotland bucket collectors taking donations at both home and away turnstiles, the goal of Sunday’s match was to raise awareness around MND and the work of MND Scotland.  

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This can cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, swallow or breathe unaided and the average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis. 

As well as raising a huge amount of awareness, thanks to donations from the amazing Hearts’ and Celtic supporters, along with a generous contribution from the Celtic F.C. Foundation, so far, an outstanding £35,000 has been raised with bucket donations still being counted.  

These funds will help us continue to provide vital services, which many people living with MND rely on, as well as to fund pioneering research that is taking us closer to a cure.     

Fundraiser Gregor Miller also received a warm Gorgie welcome as he finished his incredible 51 mile run from Glasgow to Tynecastle on the pitch at half time.  

Hearts kindly hosted MND Scotland Chief Executive, Rachel Maitland and lifelong Jambo, Stevie Morris, along with Dell Technologies Senior Director, Stephen Bosarge, who were presented with a cheque by Heart of Midlothian Chairwoman, Ann Budge.  

Thanking everyone involved in making MND Scotland Day a huge success, Chief Executive, Rachel Maitland said: “We are so grateful to Hearts and Celtic for supporting MND Scotland Day.   

“We would like to send a huge thank you to both clubs for making this special day possible as well as to everyone who showed their support for the second annual MND Scotland Day in any capacity. 

“Since our partnership with Hearts was made possible thanks to Dell Technologies, MND Scotland has been embraced by Hearts and the wider Scottish football community and we feel extremely fortunate to be connected to such passionate and engaged supporters. 

“Our work truly would be impossible without the generosity of our donors and £35,000 is an incredible amount of money that will help us to continue to make time count for people affected by motor neuron disease.” 

If you feel inspired by MND Scotland Day, you can help to make time count for people across Scotland affected by MND online by making a donation here. For more ways to support people affected by MND, please visit us here.