Spartans Women will donate all gate receipts from their Edinburgh Derby against Hibs Ladies this Sunday at Ainslie Park in aid of The Jamie Skinner Foundation (JSF).
13 year old Jamie, a former Hearts youth player, was making his debut for Tynecastle FC against Spartans when he collapsed and died after a cardiac arrest last December.
Since then, The Edinburgh Evening News (EEN) has joined forces with Jamie’s family who set up the Foundation in a bid to get defibrillators into sports clubs across the Lothian area and ensure that staff are trained up to confidently use them.
The popular former Liberton High School pupil’s family and friends have been working hard in Jamie’s memory to raise funds and awareness to provide defibrillators for clubs. With the support of the EEN and the Edinburgh community, the JSF is growing and hope to be distributing defibrillators in the near future.
Jamie’s cousin, and co-founder of the Foundation, Karen Greechan said, “We are delighted to be coming along to Spartans to help promote the work carried out by the JSF.
“Our family never want this to happen to anyone else which is why we set up the Foundation. If the JSF help to save just one person’s life, Jamie’s family and friends will take comfort in the fact that his tragic death has helped someone else and prevented another family going through the heartbreaking loss that has happened to them.”
Sport will not bring Jamie back to his family. For that indescribable loss, there is no answer. But sport and games can, and do, in a limited but necessary fashion, ease the pain and strengthen the collective resolve of the rest of us. We are delighted to be backing the JSF and wish the organisation all be best in their fantastic efforts in the future.
You can find out more about the Jamie Skinner Foundation via their Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Skinner-Foundation/443096975819997
Sunday will also see the Spartans Girls represented as they lead out the players and also showcase their talents during the half-time interval.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 2pm. Admission: £5 Adults, Concessions £1. U/16s Free (donation welcomed)