Hearts Become 1st British Side to Have a National Charity as Shirt Sponsor

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Hearts will be the 1st team in the UK to carry the name of a national charity (Save The Children) next season ! pic.twitter.com/XyPrensL7e

— Hearts FC Supporters (@heartsfc74) April 1, 2015"

Hearts are entering uncharted territory in British football for a good cause. 

The Scottish side will have their shirt sponsored for the next three years by a charity. 

"Save the Children" will be on the club's shirts after they were funded by an anonymous "group of philanthropists," as per the BBC. 

Respect. 

Hearts owner Ann Budge confirmed the move and the seven-figure deal and explained more, according to the same BBC report. 

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Through their enormous generosity they have agreed to provide funds at a level which more than removes the need for a commercial shirt sponsor. 

(The group) indicated that they wanted to offer financial support to the club—and when they asked if there was a specific area in which they could help, the idea was born. 

These business people believe that we are promoting true family values and they want to help. 

It also demonstrates that—with a bit of lateral thinking—things can be done differently in football. We don't have to be constrained by the statement that we hear all too often: 'This is how things are done in football.' 

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The club also said that they will use the funds for stadium repairs and to bolster their academy. 

[BBC]