The Big Hearts Community Trust responded to Edinburgh families in need this summer with its biggest range of summer activities yet

More than one hundred families have enjoyed summer activities thanks to the charity partner of a Scottish football club.

The Big Hearts Community Trust had its busiest summer ever, with over 110 families involved and 39 days of free events delivered across July and August.

Heart of Midlothian Football Club’s official charity partner, which aims to support vulnerable families in the community, engaged individuals between two and 90 years old in a set of activities designed to overcome cultural challenges, tackle social isolation and improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Big Hearts Summer welcomed 30 families for a multicultural day at the club’s stadium Tynecastle; enabled 11 Syrian children to attend Hearts’ holiday football courses; offered a week of music tuition to eight children with additional support needs; brought 40 people to Hampden Stadium as part of a special football memories visit and invited 30 kinship care families to various days out, including a barbecue at Vogrie Park.

Contributing to this fantastic achievement, a team of 24 volunteers collectively provided over 177 hours of support across the summer.

Craig Wilson, Big Hearts interim general manager said: ‘‘This summer marks a new step in Big Hearts’ journey to help the most vulnerable. Our initiative to support 11 young people from the Edinburgh Syrian Resettlement Programme was the first of its kind and Big Hearts will develop more projects in partnership with local organisations in the coming months.”

Big Hearts’ regular range of support will resume in September with a weekly after school club for young people and their kinship carers, monthly football memories sessions for those living with dementia and volunteering opportunities like the Gorgie Smiles initiative.