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Heart of Midlothian Football Club have been named winners of the prestigious Best Professional Club in the Community Award at the 2013 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards.

Hearts have supported over 13,000 people through numerous community based schemes.

Representatives from the club collected their awards at Hampden Park at the national ceremony from McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish and Scotland Assistant National Coach Mark McGhee.

Now in their 10th year, the awards recognise and celebrate the young players, coaches and volunteers in the six Scottish FA Regions, who dedicate their time to grassroots football in their local community.

Heart of Midlothian have been a big contributor to community football since the formation of the Big Hearts Community Trust in 2006. Over the last 12 months the charity has supported 13,000 individuals through various health, education, charity and grassroots football programmes.

Big Hearts has set a benchmark in the community not only through high engagement numbers via 13 different initiatives but through productive partnerships with organisations in the public, corporate and charitable sectors which has led to increased opportunities for participation and a positive destination for people young and older.

This year, hundreds of nominations were received from across the country, with nominees first recognised at a regional level across the five volunteer categories before going on to be shortlisted for the national awards.

McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish said: “The Edinburgh area owes an awful the winners for the effort that they put into improving grassroots football.

"Heart of Midlothian are using their reputation to make a real difference to people in Edinburgh.

"My congratulations go to them. It was a pleasure to present them with their award."