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Over 600 local schoolchildren will attend Hibs’ game against Alloa Athletic at Easter Road tomorrow as part of the club’s successful Tickets for Schools programme.

As a result, this will mean that over 5,000 tickets will have been distributed to schoolchildren for league matches at Easter Road Stadium so far this season under the scheme.

The initiative has been driven by supporters from the club’s Working Together group, which looks to bring fans and the Club together to work on programmes which will benefit Hibernian.

Every primary school in Edinburgh and the Lothians has had at least two opportunities over the course of the season to attend a home league match as part of the initiative.

Supporter Kevin Martin, who has led the initiative, said: Two volunteers, myself and Rod Cranston, created a database and contacted every state school in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian by phone then email.

“The response has been incredible with almost every school very keen to be involved and many emails of thanks.

“Although it has taken a fair bit of work and effort it has been worth it. Let’s just hope some of these kids catch the Hibs bug and enjoy attending Easter Road for years to come!

“We look forward to developing this next season for the benefit of children, schools and the club.”

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster welcomed the initiative: “We have been delighted to welcome over 5,000 school kids to Easter Road as part of the Tickets for Schools programme.

“Alongside the work of the Hibernian Community Foundation, the Club and other supporter led initiatives such as Leith Links’ Kick for Kids tickets we are getting hundreds of kids involved with Hibernian Football Club every week.

“These kids are our future supporters and we want to see as many people as possible in the green and white of Hibernian across Edinburgh, the Lothians and beyond.”

 

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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.