Edinburgh Rugby and British Heart Foundation Scotland team up again for 1872 Cup

Following last season’s activation at the Scarlets fixture at Hive Stadium in February, the BHF Scotland logo will return to Edinburgh’s match shirts, this time on the collarbone, for the derby on Sunday 27 December (kick-off 3pm).

Every shirt worn on the night will be signed and auctioned online after the final whistle, with all proceeds going to BHF Scotland’s lifesaving research.

The capital club is also relaunching its Heart Heroes mascot competition, giving supporters the chance to nominate a young person who deserves to lead the team out at the festive clash.

Four Heart Heroes will be chosen as match mascots for the derby. The competition is open to young fans aged 5–12 who meet one or more of the following:

• Living with the effects of a heart condition
• Affected by heart disease in their family, such as a parent, sibling or grandparent
• Have supported the BHF through fundraising, awareness-raising, volunteering or community effort

Each winner will:

• Run out with Edinburgh Rugby at Scottish Gas Murrayfield
• Meet Edinburgh players before the match
• Receive an Edinburgh Rugby jersey
• Receive three tickets to the game
• Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour before kick-off

Families, guardians, friends and teachers can submit a nomination from Monday 9 November via the club’s website, with a short explanation of the young person’s story and why they deserve the opportunity.

Entries close at 12 noon on Wednesday 2 December and the winners will be selected by a panel from Edinburgh Rugby and BHF Scotland.

Douglas Struth, Managing Director of Edinburgh Rugby, said: “It’s fantastic to be teaming up with British Heart Foundation Scotland again. Last season’s Scarlets match showed how powerfully rugby can carry the heart health message, and bringing the partnership to the 1872 Cup takes it to another level.

“The festive derby at Scottish Gas Murrayfield is our most high-profile fixture of the season. It draws our biggest crowd and more eyes than any other game, so having BHF Scotland on the back of our shirts puts a cause that touches so many families across Scotland firmly in the spotlight.

“What makes it special is that we can bring the partnership to life in a meaningful way. Our Heart Heroes competition is a chance to celebrate some truly inspiring young people, and there’s no better stage for them than leading the team out for a derby. Add in the post-match auction of our signed, match-worn shirts, and our supporters have real ways to get behind BHF Scotland’s lifesaving work.”

David McColgan, Head of British Heart Foundation Scotland, said: “The global rugby community has been reminded in recent weeks of the devastating impact heart disease can have, that makes it especially meaningful toe working alongside Edinburgh Rugby once again to bring heart health onto one of Scottish rugby’s biggest stages.

“The 1872 Cup gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase the extraordinary breadth of BHF’s work, from supporting people and families affected by heart conditions to funding the lifesaving research that could lead to new treatments, new discoveries and, ultimately, a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases.”