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Generous Hibs’ supporters from all over the world have donated an impressive £1800 to pay for 20 season tickets to allow children, who would not normally have the opportunity of attending games, the chance to do so.

So far a number of charities and community groups have taken up the offer and Hibs’ fan Susan Linn who was behind the idea told the Edinburgh Reporter about the scheme: “Dolls, cars, trains, model aeroplanes: we probably all had a childhood obsession. Mine? The cabbage. The Hibees. Hibs. The Arsenal of the North. OK, I’ve probably taken that too far but you get the drift. Yes, I am 100% madly in love with Hibernian Football Club. I am not ashamed to say it and I am definitely not ashamed to let you know about a wee fund I’ve set up, Leith Links, to help enable children to join the Hibee family.

“Hibs have run a scheme called Kicks for Kids (KfK), since 2002, to enable businesses and individuals to purchase season tickets for children who wouldn’t normally have the chance to attend games at Easter Road. However, the one downside to this worthy endeavour is that you need £150 upfront to buy a ticket for the child and one for their adult companion to take them. So I, the pushy female Hibs addict, approached the club and asked for their permission to open a bank account so one-off donations/Direct Debits/standing orders could be accepted. The idea is to pool all monies received and when able, purchase the corresponding number of KfK season tickets. Hibs thankfully agreed and Leith Links was launched.

“So, since August this year, we have raised an astonishing £1800 and have so far purchased 20 season tickets. The support has come in green bucket loads from the Hibs family, far and wide: Australia, Qatar, Norway, the US of A and even Engerlund. In other words, the Hibbies have done themselves and their club proud. Our plan is to continue collecting and to purchase even more season tickets next season. The beauty of the scheme is that contributors can suggest an organisation they think may benefit from the tickets and Hibs will contact them.

“So far, the Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB), Richmond’s Hope, Maggie’s Centre, Kids in Care, the Canongate Youth Project, Magdalene Community Centre, St. Ninian’s Youth Club and the Pentland Community Centre have all benefitted. Only last week, an email was received from the MCFB, advising that ‘one boy said it was the best day of his life and went to school on the Monday still clutching his ticket’. Fair warms your green heart.”

So, how do you find out more and how do you donate?

Info: www.leithlinks4kids.com

Email: leithlinks@live.co.uk

Facebook: /leithlinks4kids

Twitter: @leithlinks4kids

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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.