Edinburgh football fans have come together in an emotional show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine to boost a fundraising campaign to almost £50,000.
Hearts and Hibernian may be rivals on the pitch, but off it club bosses have backed a drive by the Dnipro Kids organisation to help provide vital funds to orphanages in the war torn region.
Generous Hibs fans had already raised over £30,000 before the Jambos pledged to donate proceeds from their matchday programme sales during Wednesday’s meeting with Aberdeen to the cause.
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Fans of both sides have continued to back the campaign, organised by the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation, to boost the total to over £40,000 in just a few days.
Premiership rivals St Johnstone also made a contribution before the Perth side joined the Hibees in displaying the Ukrainian colours before Saturday’s goalless draw at Easter Road.
Earlier this week, Dnipro Kids founder Stevie Carr told Edinburgh Live how children huddled in the corridors of orphanages up to six times a day as air raid sirens blared out across the city amid a Russian bombing campaign.
Hibs chief Ron Gordon and wife Kit boosted coffers by £1,500 with a donation on Friday while Saints fans held a collection on coaches bound for the capital this weekend.
The charity was established in 2005 following a Uefa Cup meeting between the now-defunct Dnipro FC and the Leith outfit.
It has since funded six orphanages in the central Ukrainian city, providing children with clothing, shelter and school supplies.
The Dnipro Kids appeal through the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation can be supported here.
