Hot on the heels of our momentous 25th anniversary year, we caught up with Hearts and Balls Chair, Hugh Dan MacLennan, to look back on 2025 and a magnificent 12 months of activity.
Plenty to choose from but what do you reckon were the highlights?
“For me, it was the roll-out of the defib campaign and the ongoing success of our sevens teams who contribute greatly to raising awareness of our charity.
“Funds raised also helped Kelso RFC install a lift from the clubhouse lower deck to upstairs and access to the stand. One of the beneficiaries – apart from the elder community – is a local player living with the implications of long-term injury.
“We’ve continued to strengthen the governance of the organisation with a significant restructuring of our activities. New members have been added to the Board, to increase the levels of expertise we already had, and this will enable us to meet new challenges as rugby, its playing and supporting community continues to evolve. We are also continuing to build our network of Ambassadors who give freely of their time to help us promote our work.
“We’ve benefited from several significant fund-raising activities organised by individuals and clubs – from Sandra Taylor’s and Eve Robertson’s Kiltwalks to our ambassador Hamish Bell’s successful Scottish Peaks Challenge; donations from Scottish Rugby Away Tours Forum activities and the tie-up with FiB whisky; the amazing sums raised from the game days at Oriam and Kilmarnock RFC and many more.
“Our own golf tournament was a great success with considerable input from Glasgow Warriors and our key sponsors – Vision Scotland, The Physiotherapy Place, Mackenzie Construction, The Malcolm Group, VSN SPORT, HIT Ltd, Sports Hall Medical Supplies and Jock Borthwick.”
What sort of things are planned for 2026?
“This year will see further restructuring and consolidation. We’ll keep working to increase our profile and awareness levels – a new documentary highlighting what we do, coming soon, will help with that.
“We’ll continue to investigate how we can support the rugby community and will develop our work in relation to prevention of injuries and the wellbeing of players.
“On the events side there will be two golf tournaments this year, one at the Royal Burgess in Edinburgh, while our sevens teams will continue to show their skills at various tournaments during the summer.
“Our new fundraising appointment – which we hope to confirm soon – will help us broaden the scope of our efforts and expand our portfolio of sponsors and financial supporters. A key part of the fundraiser’s role will be to build on our relationships with clubs and find ways we could collaborate on projects of mutual benefit.
“We’ll keep sharing information and news through our various media channels and champion those who give their time to raise funds for us – stay tuned for everything from handcycling the Hebrides to abseiling the tallest whisky distillery in the world!”
How difficult is it to keep the momentum going when there are challenges for fundraising with people’s time and financial situations?
“The 25th anniversary celebrations were a springboard towards moving us forward in the short, medium and long term and we have to plan accordingly. The charity fundraising landscape is a challenging environment and we must ensure that the rugby community is aware of what we can do and how we can help. Through our enhanced Ambassador programme and the tireless efforts of our Trustees, who give their time freely and without payment, we’ll continue to offer appropriate support to the rugby community where and when required.”
What’s your new year wish for the charity?
“That we build on the foundations laid in the first 25 years by raising awareness of our work and how we can be supported, alongside letting more clubs know what we can do for them by stepping in with help when it’s needed.
And a message for the community?
“We’re always grateful for feedback about our work and the messages of appreciation over the past year from families and individuals we have helped has been particularly heart-warming. We’d also like to hear from clubs, individuals and companies who think they might be able to contribute to and support our efforts in all manner of ways.”
