FeedBack

“My name is Lorraine and I am a project leader at Multi-Cultural Family
Base in Leith. I run a football project on a Tuesday evening, predominantly but
not exclusively for Black & Minority Ethnic children and young people.

This is our first year and to date we have seen around 35-40 children and young
people attending weekly across two sessions.

The purpose of this email is firstly to thank you for your generosity in funding
the 6 match tickets we receive for each home match. Most of the children and
young people who attend the football sessions have never been to football match
and it has been a great day out for them (I will send a couple of photos from
the next match).

I will keep you posted and thanks again.”

“Good Afternoon

I am writing to you from Richmond’s Hope Bereavement Project to thank you for the wonderful donation of two season tickets for Hibernian Football Club. This will be a great thing to be able to offer to the children and families who attend Richmond’s Hope. I have attached one of our leaflets that explains a bit more about what Richmond’s Hope offers and what support we give children and young people who have been bereaved.

If you would like any further information or you would like to visit Richmond’s Hope please do not hesitate to contact me.

Once again thank you so very much for this wonderful gift.”

“Dear Leith Links members

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of Hibernian FC’s “Kicks for Kids” season ticket initiative for season 2013/14 and your fantastic donation of 10 season tickets!

As one of the Club’s longest running community initiatives, your support is important to the many charities/voluntary organisations and children who benefit from your generosity.

As requested, your season tickets have been allocated to Magdalene Community Centre, St Ninian’s Youth Club, Canongate Youth Project, Richmond’s Hope and Multi-cultural Family Base.

Thanks again for really making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged youngsters. “

“Hi Susan

I hope this e-mail finds you well. I am writing with an update, since you gave us this wonderful gift we have had different children and their carers attend the matches. We have had positive feedback from each of them. Being able to offer this to our families is marvellous as a lot of children who attend Richmond’s Hope used to attend all the games before the person died but due to different constraints (shortage of money, or the person that took them died) they have been unable to attend.

This is such a great gift to give to children and I really do appreciate all your support.”

“Dear all

Can I thank you on behalf of my sons and his friends for your generous donation of tickets for the recent Hibernian V Ross County match at Easter Road. This was part of the Canongate Youth Project Kicks for Kids project.

They all had a thoroughly entertaining day out at the match and all hope to be regular Hibees in the future.

Thanks one again. Your generosity is much appreciated by the local Southside community.”

“Our centre (Bingham Community Centre) is volunteer run and recently we have received 2 tickets for each home game. I would just like to say thank you so much as we have loads of wee Hibs supporters who could never afford to go to these games as most of our kids are from large families and their parents are unemployed. So thank you very much for this much appreciated opportunity and have a lovely Christmas!”

“Thanks again to you, Leith Links and Hibs, for the tickets to the first home game against Livingstone earlier this month – I tweeted and FBed about it at the time, but would like to echo those sentiments by email too.

My 9-year-old son was absolutely delighted, after more than ten draws or defeats, to see his FIRST HIBS WIN – and with a goal by the goalkeeper, no less! What a great match, on a beautiful afternoon!

Really great that Hibs and organisations like Dads Rock and Leith Links can partner up to provide such a wonderful resource to local kids – long may the wins continue!”

“Thank you for the Kicks for Kids tickets, DadsWork really enjoyed the Livingston game and very much enjoyed the Mark Oxley’s goal.

2 families who attended this game have not been to a Hibs game before and are now new Hibs fans. DadsWork have all their tickets for their games booked by families already, we have many new families going for the first time also. I am assuming more new Hibs fans in the future too? Thank you again for the donation of tickets as this is a huge asset to our organisation for our families.

Many Thanks.”

“Dear Sir/Madam,

Edinburgh Kinsfolk Carers would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere thanks to everyone at Leith Links and Kicks for Kids for the match tickets you supply us.

The experience is always thoroughly enjoyed by the children, who normally, would not be in a position to attend football matches.

We feel the days out at Easter Road greatly enrich the lives of the children and affords them some time out from what can often be challenging life circumstances.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.”

“Hi everyone and greetings from the ‘football wuman’ as the kids call me.

I wanted to thank you again for your amazing generosity both in terms of tickets and kit. The kids are as eager as ever to go to the match which is great. I wanted to share this story with you. I was at the first match of the season with a group of kids and a boy came up and spoke to one of the boys he said; Hi, I did not know you came to the matches and a short chat took place with the parting words I’ll see you at school on Monday. Once the boy left I asked the boy who was with me if that was his friend from school – smiling he said he’s in my class but he’s never spoken to me before. This is the power of the Hibees football family it brings people together and gives them a sense of belonging.

Over the summer the Hibernian Supporters Association gave me a cheque and I have been able to move 10 children into local grassroots clubs including Spartans, Edina Hibs, Redpath Albion and Blackhall Thistle and some have been involved in Scottish Club games for their clubs. The money from the supporters allowed me to buy the boys boots, this was the first time they had ever had a new pair of boots, pay their registrationfee and cover their training/playing fees for most of the season. You are all doing your bit to ensure that we get better representation of diverse groups in Scottish grassroots football.

I am also in the process at long last of completing forms for 20 children to join the Hibs Kids and again this is being funded by a very kind Hibs fans.The football session remain very popular with around 47 turning up in the first week back after the summer break.

I am trying to co-ordinate the volunteering rota and I apologise if I have not been in touch with you as yet but I am working on it and will be in touch. We did have one volunteer join us and she enjoyed sharing her knowledge with the children.

You are all truly amazing.”

“Dear Susan

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you and all the members of “Leith Links” for your support of Hibernian FC’s “Kicks for Kids” season ticket initiative for season 2014/15.

As one of the Club’s longest running community initiatives, your support is important to the many charities/voluntary organisations and children who benefit from your generosity.

As requested, your season tickets have been allocated to Pentland Community Centre, Carrick Knowe Primary School, Edinburgh South Deaf Football Club, Piershill Community Health Flat, Dads Rock, Canongate Youth Project, St Ninian’s Youth Club, Bingham Community Centre, Dads Work, The Yard, Multicultural Family Base, Kids in Care, Drylaw Young People’s Centre, FACE, Dean & Cauvin Trust, Kinsfolk Carers, Murrayburn Primary School and The Ripple Project.

Thanks again for really making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged youngsters.

Kind regards
Sue”

“Pentland centre oxgangs kids and families enjoying hibs v rangers game all thanks to hibs kick for kids thanks to all u good people who give our kids the chance to go see their favourite team.”

“We are writing to thank you for the tickets received for the Hibs matches over the festive period. The tickets have been used for young people from our young people’s centres and also a family that I am currently involved in doing outreach with. All of the young people involved have enjoyed the matches.

Both staff and young people continue to be grateful for the opportunity and experience. The young people especially were keen to be involved and have gained much from supporting a local team. We look forward to the next home match against Cowdenbeath.

One of our young people from Drylaw YPC was keen to write a thank you letter for the tickets, which I have attached.”

[“Thanks for the tickets for the game against Falkirk on Saturday 10th January, from MaryAnne”]

“Hi

I would just like to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy new year from us all at the deaf football.

The kids are still loving football also and it’s much appreciated from us all.

Many thanks

All at deaf football”.

“Edinburgh Kinsfolk Carers would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere thanks to everyone at Leith Links and Kicks for Kids for the match tickets you supply us.

The experience is always thoroughly enjoyed by the children, who normally, would not be in a position to attend football matches.

We feel the days out at Easter Road greatly enrich the lives of the children and affords them some time out from what can often be challenging life circumstances.

There have been significant changes noticed in the children over the past few months as they all want to get on board with the clear changes that are happening both on and off the pitch. It is telling that the kids seem as excited talking about what Leeann Dempster and Alan Stubbs are doing as much as Jason Cummings or Dominique Malonga and the visits have not only cemented the support of the existing young hibees but have actually converted one of our young girls, who previously, supported “the other” Edinburgh team.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Thank you”.

“Thank you for tickets for hibs v rangers. Really grateful for this opportunity got through scotland yard (the yard). All power to you”

“Hi Everyone

Big thanks again from our young people who can attend games through this scheme.
Kids getting excited with end of season games and what outcomes lie ahead.”

“Dear Sue

Kicks for Kids Tickets

I write on behalf of all our service users who have accessed Kicks for Kids Tickets watching Hibs this season at Easter Road.

We have had families who have never attended a football game before, recruited new Hibs fans, and allowed Hibs fans access to their team who would have been able to usually due to cost.

DadsWork have really appreciated your support this season by providing us 8 season tickets.

Please pass on our huge thanks to everyone at Leith Links who contributed to the Kicks for Kids Season Tickets from every service user at DadsWork.”

“Dear Susan,

I am emailing to thank you for the tickets received for all the Hibs matches throughout the season.

The tickets were used for young people from the [Drylaw] young people’s centres and young people being looked after at home. All of the young people involved have thoroughly enjoyed the matches.

Both staff and young people continue to be grateful for the opportunity and experience. The young people especially were keen to be involved and have gained much from supporting a local team.

We really hope that Hibs can secure promotion to the Scottish Premiership next season and we look forward to supporting Hibs in the new season.

Thanks again.”

“Susan

I am just writing to thank you and Leith Links for your support throughout the year for Kids in Care. Sue has been great all season in securing tickets for some of my young folk and has said you provided great support throughout the year. I am so pleased that groups such as the Leith Links are willing to support our young folk who would not have the opportunity to attend matches under normal circumstances.

Although the result was a disappointment I’m hoping next year will be more productive for us.

Thanks again and please pass on my thanks to all your members”.

“I would like to thank you for the tickets you gave to the deaf children, they really enjoyed it. I can’t thank you enough for what you done and for the hard work your are doing to provide children the opportunity to watch football”.

“Hi

I am writing to thank you for the tickets received for the Hibs matches so far this season. The tickets have been used for young people from Drylaw Young People’s Centre and also a family that I am currently involved in doing outreach with. All of the young people involved have enjoyed the matches.

Both staff and young people continue to be grateful for the opportunity and experience. The young people especially were keen to be involved and have gained much from supporting a local team. We look forward to the next home match against Dumbarton

Thanks”.

“Hi

May I take this opportunity, on behalf of the children at Pilmeny Youth Centre, to thank you for the match day ticket allocations. The allocation is spread over our varying age groups e.g 8yrs to 14yrs, mainly boys, and the children are very pleased that they have an opportunity to watch the Hibees. Due to family financial issues, most of them would probably never consider attending a game, however we’ve had at least four who have attended with a relative, midweek evening fixtures, and paying at the gate, so there’s a positive “spin-off” to the free ticket allocation.

Many Thanks

PS:- They’ve all found a new hero in Jason Cummings. Its an added bonus that Jason has hit a rich vein of form at the precise time the children have taken up our allocation. Mum’s are worried the boys may now want the Jason hairdo”.

“Hi, firstly…I’d like to apologise for taking so long to drop you this “thank you” note. I’ve been meaning to do so for a few weeks now.

My son, who attends Murrayburn Primary, won tickets for the Hibernian v Rangers game on Nov 1st and we were both thrilled to get a chance to attend…Jason, as it was his first football match and me, because I hadn’t set foot in Easter Road since 1978!!!

Anyway, we both thoroughly enjoyed the match and the scoreline helped enormously.

I’d like to thank all involved in making this day out possible, it is truly appreciated…THANK YOU!”

“Hi there

Just wanted to say thank you for the 2 hibs tickets you donated to our group. Kinsfolk Carers Edinburgh.

The kids had a great time. For some it was their first time at Easter Road and the first time they’d been to a football match and they loved it and can’t wait to go back.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to attend. It is very much appreciated”.

Thank you for the 2 Hibs tickets you donated to our group Kinsfolk Carers Edinburgh for the month of December. The kids had a great time. Good family fun. Much appreciated.

Happy New Year! I am writing to thank you for the tickets received for the Hibs matches over the festive period. The tickets continue to be used for young people from Drylaw Young People’s Centres and also a family that I am currently involved in doing outreach with. All of the young people involved have enjoyed the matches.

Both staff and young people continue to be grateful for the opportunity and experience. The young people especially were keen to be involved and have gained much from supporting a local team. We look forward to the next home match against St Mirren.

“Hi Susan

Can’t believe new season upon us already – the year is flying past. Thank you so much for the tickets you donated to Kinsfolk Carers Edinburgh. The families have had a great time and 2 of our wee boys who hadn’t seen each other for months met up again at the football on Saturday. They were ecstatic and when Hibs won 4 – 0 they were over the moon, happy families all round.

Plans have been made for them to get together for next game, Fantastic!

Kindest regards”

“Hello

Pentland Community Centre

Just wanted to thank you for the donated tickets to the Hibs home game.

My son-in-law and daughter took my granddaughter (aged 7) to her first football match which she loved. She obviously takes after the family support of Hibs and loves kicking a ball around with the boys at playtime at school and with dad, uncle and granddad at home.

This is a very good scheme as tickets are so expensive these days and it is nice the family can go out to a match which they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.

With grateful appreciation”.

“I am writing from Stepping Stones North Edinburgh, a charity supporting families in the north of Edinburgh. We have recently been allocated tickets to the Hibs Home games for our families and volunteers.

We were able to give a family a set of tickets to the Ayr United Game, and the reports I got back were amazing. It was the first time, an 11 year old boy and a life long hibs fan had ever been to a live match. I spoke with him yesterday and he was ecstatic and said it was one of the best days ever (even though Hibs lost). This family have limited income and are unable to buy tickets to things like football games and do not often get to spend quality time together.

I just wanted to thank you on behalf of this family for the tickets, it really does and will continue to make a huge difference to our families”.

“On behalf of our families who have had the opportunity to use the Hibs tickets that you have kindly donated [to the Canongate Youth Project], I would like to send their very warm thanks for this continued support of our project. Having the tickets for this season has allowed us to allocate them to families who are under a lot of stress for a variety of reasons and the chance to go to a football match has given them time to bond, away from the everyday stresses that they are experiencing. A day out which your kindness has made possible!”

“I wish to thank you for your kind donation of tickets for Easter Road stadium. My wife and I are kinship carers for our greatgrandson who is 6 years old. He had a great day at the match which finished with a win for the Hibees, once again thank you from our family”.

“Hi Susan
Thank you so much for the 6 tickets Kicks for Kids donated to Kinsfolk Carers Edinburgh for the month of October.

As usual a great time was had by all and it was great that Hibs won 2-0. It made the kids day.
I was delighted to hear that one of the families had sent you a thank you. Hopefully the first of many.
Kindest regards”.

“I wanted to pass on a wee message from two children that attended hibs games [via Stepping Stones] with the generous donation of tickets that we are fortunate to be able to hand out to our families.

A 3 and half year old girl:

‘I went with mummy to see Hibees, I cheered and cheered and cheered and I clapped when they scored a goal. We had lots of fun’.

An 8 year old boy:

‘Thank you for the tickets, I went with my uncle to the match, and hibs lost, but we still had so much fun. all my friends get to go the the games, but my mum doesn’t have enough money. Me and my uncle and a really fun time’.

Thank you again, on behalf of all the families that are able to use these tickets”.

“I write to thank you for your donation of Hibernian football match tickets via the Hibernian Community Foundation.

I work for Action for Children’s EH1 service, which supports vulnerable children and young people in care across Edinburgh, and aims to stop them progressing further into the care system and instead work towards more positive destinations.

EH1 is provided a number of tickets for each home game by the Foundation, allowing vulnerable young people in care to attend these matches where they would usually not have the opportunity to do so. Your donation of tickets has allowed a number of our young people to attend games alongside staff and volunteers – opportunities which they have greatly valued and benefited from.

We thank you for your ongoing support and the opportunities you continue to afford our young people”.

“Hi, I just want to say a massive thank you for giving me, my carer and my foster brother the opportunity to let us go to the Hibernian VS Falkirk match. It was a fantastic experience, being there was amazing with an incredible atmosphere with a crowd over 14,500.

Once again thank you very much for giving us these tickets, it was brilliant day”.

“Thank you for the 6 tickets Kicks for Kids donated to Kinsfolk Carers Edinburgh for the month of November.

Despite the cold a great time has been had by both the kids and the carers. They are really getting behind the team and have become real supporters, most of them have now bought Hibs hats & scarves – fantastic!!”

Hi,
My name is S. I adore Hibs and my favourite player is John Mcginn because he is nice looking. I love to go to Hibs games because I like to see them win and to be here to support my favourite team. I will always support them for ever. Thank you for donating tickets to let me go to a game with my worker and see my favourite team play”.

“On behalf of Recovery Kidz, I would like to thank you so very much for donating Hibs home league games tickets. So far, as a result of these tickets, we have been able to make three Recovery Kidz and Hibs supporter families very happy!

I note below some of their thanks and comments.

‘Hi there i just wanted to say thank you so much!!!!!! The kids had such a good time and there dad enjoyed the time with his daughters it was the first time the girls had been to a football game and thanks to yourselves and the kind people who donated the tickets they had good seats and i was really surprises to see the kids enjoy themselves so much. I think that recovery kids and the people who donate these things should know that they are making a great difference to familys that cant afford to let there kids have these experiences so thank you from me and the rest of the family xxxx’

‘O’s first Hibs match, she has a scarf and hibs top… she’s one of our own, We had a fantastic time, thank you so much.’

“Hi there,

I wanted to write an e-mail on behalf of a family who I spoke with yesterday who have been in receipt of the tickets to hibs matches [via Stepping Stones North Edinburgh].

A father of 3 girls, who has a huge love of football, who unfortunately hasn’t been able to take them, or go himself due to personal reasons and finance, has been able to reengage with the game and bring his daughter. His wife, reports that his mood has lifted because of this, and he’s really happy to be able to go to games again.

This is great progress for this family, and I really wanted to thank you personally”.

“Thank you for the 6 tickets Kicks for Kids donated to Kinsfolk Carers Edinburgh so far this year.

The families are really enjoying going to the games. The kids are eager to attend and look forward to each game. Feedback from the adults has been great. Thanks again”.

“Just an e-mail to say thank you very much for the recent tickets [via Barnardos] to take L to the Hibs game.

He had a great time. The sun came out just as we arrived at the stadium to watch the players warm up and he was able to get lots of ideas for training drills that we have gone out to the park together and tried out. He also really enjoyed the match and joined in with some of the crowds chanting.

The tickets were very much appreciated and I just wanted to pass my thanks on to the people who have made this possible”.

“I would like to thank you once again for your involvement in the Kicks for Kids initiative. Our families, and especially local children have benefited hugely from this [via the Canongate Youth Project]. In particular, we have one local dad who is often allocated the tickets as he takes along other people’s kids who most definitely would not have the opportunity to go to see a professional football match were it not for this programme and the kindness and patience of this man. He allows us to spread this initiative further. The kids absolutely love it and it provides them with a really exciting day and has fostered a great interest in football amongst younger boys and girls.

Thank you again!”

“I write with a huge thank you on behalf of DadsWork and our beneficiaries who this season have attended games and absolutely have been delighted with the opportunities they have been given to attend. We have had some families who have never attended a football match before, new Hibs supporters created and most importantly opportunities for families to attend games otherwise outwith their reach due to cost or many other barriers. I thank you both hugely for giving our charity these opportunities to offer our families who have had some wonderful memories this season.

Please pass on this gratitude to all the supporters who make these opportunities available to charities and it benefactors”.

“Thank you so much for the 6 tickets Kicks for Kids donated to Kinsfolk Carers.

What a fantastic season Hibs have had. Both the kids and adults have really enjoyed coming along to watch the games. May the 6th was such an emotional day, watching the presentations, joining in the celebrations plus the weather was amazing. Many memories have been made and shared. Fantastic.

Thanks again”.

“Hope you are both well and had a lovely time over the festive period. I would just like to thank you for all the tickets we have received so far this season. We have used these tickets for young people within our Young People’s Centre’s; foster placements and outreach we do with families. Without these tickets some of the vulnerable young people we work with would never get an opportunity to watch their team at Easter Road. The feedback I receive from families is always positive and they are always very grateful. The kind gesture from Lewis Stevenson both for the a young person to be a mascot and his donation to Drylaw YPC at Christmas was very generous. Josh and his family were overwhelmed and very grateful; it’s an experience that Josh won’t forget”.

“Just like to say a huge thank you to all involved for making it possible for our young people (via Dean and Cauvin Trust) to attend Hibs matches. This simply would not be possible due to our limited funding and it has allowed fathers and sons/daughters, grandads and grandsons/granddaughters, not to mention facilitating ex foster carers to continue being involved in the lives of the young people they once cared for to attend these matches together. This has such a beneficial impact on the lives of our young people so thank you from the bottom of our hearts for creating these opportunities”.

“I am emailing you in regard to tickets I received from The Yard for the Hibs game on 31 March. My partner and I attended with my son Ross who is autistic, with a learning disability and has no speech. One of his disabilities is that he has hyperacusis: this is oversensitive hearing which can be quite painful for him.

He did particularly well at the match and was able to tolerate the noises of the crowd and tannoid with wearing his ear defenders. We were even able to stay at the match for the whole game, as we have taken him before but have only managed to stay for 10 minutes due to his intolerance of the whole experience.

He did really enjoy it and even joined in with the cheering when Hibs scored the goals. We were really pleased to be able to take him and appreciate the opportunity”.

“Firstly I must take this opportunity to thank you for donating Hibs tickets to the pupils at Gorgie Mills School. They are much appreciated. Secondly, I must apologise for not contacting you sooner.
Our pupils had sent out emails and photographs to you but unfortunately I recently found them all in a folder and was unable to forward them to you.

The lads are keen you get their heart felt thanks so they would like to send you a letter and some pictures.
*Can you give us your address so we can post them to you?”

“So so thankful to have received tickets again (via Dean and Cauvin Trust). We have united kids with grandfathers and dads and brothers attending with siblings they have lost touch with all through the power of football – everyone who has made this possible truly has no idea of the full impact this gift has made to our kids and their families so thank you from the bottom of our hearts x”

“DadsWork would like to thank everyone associated with the donation of season tickets DadsWork received this season, the families who have attended have been enthusiastically delighted with the performance of the team and the results. We have introduced new families to football and have become Hibs fans of the future. DadsWork has had additional benefits this season from Lewis Stevenson to which the individuals benefiting were absolutely delighted and have made memories for life through their experiences. We as a charity are delighted to be in association with Hibs FC and see huge beneficial experiences to our families through attend games and other activities.

Thank you again for wonderful experiences from our families at DadsWork”.

“Hi Sue

This is magic news and thank you so much for the kind offer. The tickets were well received by the young people in the area for last season and I am sure it will be the same this season.

Once again a big thanks from the kids and ourselves at KITS (Kids In The Street).

Regards

Kev”

“DadsWork are delighted to be donated 6 Ladbrokes Premiership Season Tickets for all Hibs home games from Leith Links and Hibs to which we are grateful as a charity to allow our families to opportunity to attend football games. Thank you again everyone who made this possible again for the families of DadsWork”.

“Thank you so much Sue – this is great news! The kids loved the game on Saturday so we are looking forward to this season.

Thanks again for choosing us (Pilton Youth & Children’s Project) – really appreciate it”.

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