Mary’s story

After a tragic loss, Mary Morris decided to give back to the club and charity that supported her family. Through volunteering, Mary found purpose in helping other carers and relatives cherish special moments together.

Mary first became involved with Big Hearts while caring for her husband Stevie, who was diagnosed with MND in 2021. Stevie continued attending matches at Tynecastle for as long as possible, supported by the club and its charity Big Hearts, and in 2022 fulfilled a lifelong dream by leading the team out at the Scottish Cup Final.

Now, Mary is a registered Big Hearts volunteer for the Memories project, where she is helping older people recall fond memories through archived images, football memorabilia and themed discussions. The support group runs in the Fans Bar at Tynecastle Park twice a week, and has been delivered by Big Hearts for over a decade. Volunteers play a vital part in the sessions to engage with older people living with dementia, stroke survivors, care home residents and those at risk of loneliness. 

Mary said: “Hearts gave Stevie his life right to the end. I truly believe football kept him going. When he led the team out at Hampden, it felt like he’d been given every Christmas and birthday all at once. That was the proudest day of his life. As his illness got worse, the club made sure he could still get to games. They looked after him, and they looked after us as a family.”

Reflecting on her path to volunteering, Mary added: “Now I want to help other people cherish the memories that football can give. Volunteering has given me purpose again. When you lose your partner, your whole life changes overnight.”

Mary began bringing her father-in-law, Les Morris, 90, along to the group. As both men’s health declined, the sessions became an important space to share memories and maintain connection. While Lee can no longer attend the club, Mary still keeps him regularly updated on Memories, and says Les is remembered with great affection by those who attended alongside him. She said: “When you’re caring for someone, your world can get very small. Bringing Les along gave us somewhere safe to talk about Stevie and share stories with other people who understood.”

As the charity of the Club marks its 10th Big Hearts Day on Saturday, Mary is urging supporters to donate if they can. 

“Coming here, being part of the group, having a laugh and seeing the guys light up when they recognise a player or a match they remember means everything.”

Big Hearts’ Memories programme is funded through a range of partners including Age Scotland, the Ellen & Ian Graham Foundation and Impact Funding Partners, with fundraising from Big Hearts Day helping to ensure the sessions can continue.

She said: “I know money is tight for everyone just now, but even a small donation helps keep these sessions running and helps people feel less alone. 

“This place means the world to people. It meant the world to Stevie. Now it means the world to me.”

“One of the gentlemen said to me, ‘I never thought I’d be able to dance again.’ That’s stayed with me. If we can give someone that feeling, even for a few minutes, it’s worth it.”

“Loneliness can make people go downhill very quickly. Here, they sit around a table, look at photos and talk about matches, their jobs and their families.”

Donate today to change more people’s lives through the Club charity Big Hearts. 

Thank you.