Lawrie load of kids get free tickets

HIBS today appealed to local businesses to back their "Kicks for Kids" initiative – which has allowed thousands of disadvantaged young people to watch matches at Easter Road.

The club themselves are to lead the way by donating 20 season tickets which will be used by Edinburgh-based charities over the coming campaign.

Last season more than 1,800 children and young adults benefited from the scheme which has been running for the last eight years.

Individual supporters have also become involved with tickets bought by the Proclaimers, Charlie and Craig Reid, allowing first-time beneficiaries the Pilton Youth and Children's Project to bring around 80 young people from that area to Easter Road across the season.

Brian Greatorex, youth and children's worker from PYCP, said: "The majority of youngsters who attend PYCP are Hibs fans. Due to socio-economic factors, including high levels of unemployment many of the young people cannot afford to attend many matches. In fact some involved with Kicks for Kids had never managed to get along to Easter Road before."

A Hibs spokesperson said: "I am delighted to reveal the club will donate 20 season tickets as part of our wider community engagement strategy that will roll out next season with the aim of providing further access to football at Easter Road for members of the community who simply cannot afford the luxury of attending football matches on a regular basis.

"The initiative continues to be very rewarding for all involved – not least the hundreds of children who have benefited from the generosity of our sponsors over the years."

Members of Hibs.net, a leading online supporters' forum, which bought 16 half-season tickets last December, have promised to support the project again and anyone interested should contact community manager Sue McLernon 0131-656-7076 in the first instance.