Heart of Midlothian's Community Manager Alan White helped launch the SPL Community Report at Hampden, which unveils the unique contribution top flight clubs make to the Scottish economy and society.

Hearts, through the Heart of Midlothian Education and Community Trust, has a significant impact on Edinburgh through engaging with the local community on a range of projects aimed at improving the lives of local people.

This work has been recognised both nationally and internationally with Hearts being one of only 18 companies to receive the inaugural Business in the Community - Community Mark award in 2008 and as a partner in the AEGON Breakfast Club programme helped win the European Sponsorship Association - Business to Community award in November last year.

The positive impact on their local area goes far beyond 90 minutes on a Saturday:

 * 500 participants per week take part in HMFC community projects
 * 420 hours spent on community activity each week
 * 17 separate initiatives currently in operation

Many of the projects are aligned with Scottish Government National Outcomes and aim to deliver on:

 * Physical activity & healthy living messages
 * Social inclusion to build strong communities
 * Creating employment opportunities and life chances
 * Reducing crime through diversionary activities

On the launch of the report, Alan said: "The Heart of Midlothian Education and Community Trust is extremely proud of its highly successful and proven track record in developing a hugely varied and valuable programme of activity on behalf of the Club.

"The Trust has some exceptionally exciting plans to develop and deepen our integration within our local community during the course of 2011 - our fifth year. We are delighted to be working with the SPL Trust, leading the way, creating and fulfilling new ways to engage with a range of key groups in Scotland."

KEY PROJECTS INCLUDE:

The Breakfast Club initiative provides healthy breakfasts to primary school children before school in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and AEGON. The programme aims to link local businesses to neighbouring schools in the City to fund each breakfast club. 28 primary schools take part in the initiative and over £100,000 has been raised to date.

The Hearts Music Project engages with children and adults with an interest in music to provide music tuition, recording and production opportunities. The project is also used as a diversionary activity and uses the attraction of both the football club and music to encourage participation. The project has partnered with numerous local organisations including the Edinburgh Youth Music Forum and Edinburgh Young Carers. 500 participants take part in the project per year.

The Future Jobs Fund initiative is a national programme run in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and the SPL Trust. It aims to create paid jobs for those aged 18-24 years of age and who have been long term unemployed. Each job lasts for six months and is based on full time working hours. Through the Heart of Midlothian Education and Community Trust a large number of relationships have been developed with key community partners to produce seventy new jobs.

On a national level, First Minister Alex Salmond has given his backing to the Report and said: "I welcome the publication of this comprehensive SPL Community Report, which provides clear evidence of the very positive work that SPL clubs are doing in their communities.

"The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution that football clubs make to our local and national economy and to wider society. That is why we are supporting many of these initiatives and we are looking to develop these to ensure we maximise the local and national impact of our investment in football and sport."

SPL Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster said: "The SPL Community Report showcases the excellent work that has often gone unrecognised across our clubs. Those in charge of developing community activity have a wealth of experience and expertise that has been used to create new and innovative projects that now deliver benefit not only to their supporters, but also the wider community. The unique hook of a football club is being used to engage with traditionally hard to reach groups, and we are proud our clubs have such a significant impact on their local community."

On Hearts.TV today and the new Hearts App, JJ and Marian Kello meet the media at Riccarton.