Widow of Hearts fan who died of MND helping others ‘cherish’ football memories

The widow of a lifelong Hearts fan who died after a battle with motor neurone disease (MND) has said she is honouring his memory by helping others “cherish the memories that football can give”.

Mary Morris, 65, lost her husband Stevie in December 2024, after he was diagnosed with MND in 2021.

Mr Morris continued attending matches at Tynecastle “for as long as possible”, and in 2022 fulfilled a lifelong dream by leading out the Hearts team at the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.

After his death, Ms Morris, from Mid Calder, began volunteering with the club’s “Memories” group, which has been delivered by the Big Hearts Community Trust – the club’s official charity – for more than a decade.

Described on the charity’s website as a “reminiscence programme”, the weekly group helps older people recall fond memories through archived images, football memorabilia and themed discussions.

The group is open to people aged 60 and over, and particularly welcomes those living with dementia, stroke survivors, care home residents and those at risk of loneliness.

Ms Morris explained her motivations for getting involved.

“Hearts gave Stevie his life right to the end,” she said. “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.

“Even when he couldn’t travel to away matches, they made sure he had the match programme and could follow along at home. They never forgot him.

“Now I want to help other people cherish the memories that football can give.”

Ms Morris said the group also helped her father-in-law Les Morris, 90, by providing him with “somewhere safe to talk about Stevie”, and to share stories with other people who understood.

“Losing a son at any age is horrible,” she said.

“This helps him remember all the incredible times they had through football.”

Ms Morris also reflected on how volunteering at the group had given her a renewed sense of purpose following the death of her husband.

“When you lose your partner, your whole life changes overnight,” she said.

“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.”

The 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.

In the run-up to Big Hearts Day – the charity’s biggest annual fundraising event – on Saturday, Ms Morris urged people to donate to the charity if they can.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

The 10th Big Hearts Day takes place on February 21 during Hearts v Falkirk at Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh.

To support Big Hearts Day 2026 and help sustain programmes including Memories, visit www.bighearts.org.uk.