Hearts will participate an a major weekend of activity this coming Saturday as the Scottish Premier League clubs unite in a "Matchday against Hunger".

963 million people in the world are victims of hunger and during the last three years, due to the soaring food and energy prices, the number of hungry people has increased by 75 million.

The Association of the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) and its Member Leagues, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will be engaged in activity across Europe this weekend.

This action seeks to raise awareness of the fight against global hunger and to raise funds for FAOs Telefood projects that enable poor families and communities to produce their own food.

Hearts and Rangers players will wear special t-shirts during warm-up at Ibrox, whilst a special video is to be played on the giant screens.

Lex Gold, Executive Chairman of the SPL, said: "Our clubs do a great deal of work in their communities to help people here in Scotland. But our clubs are well supported all across the world and this is a way we can do something for those less fortunate in other countries."

The Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy welcomed the initiative. He said: "It is great to see the SPL teams getting behind this Europe-wide action against hunger.

"Football is a unifying force across the globe and it brings people together around a common interest - using that community to do good and help eradicate the scourge of hunger is a worthwhile cause fans and other members of the public should support."

A Hearts spokesperson added, "We're pleased to be able to lend our full support to all the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clubs and those fellow clubs across Europe in spreading a vital message that these grave problems must be addressed."

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