Devoted Hearts widow honours her husband through the Big Hearts charity
Stevie Morris’ wife is working for a good cause at Tynecastle Park
The devoted widow of a lifelong Hearts supporter is honouring his memory by volunteering for the club’s official charity. Mary Morris, whose husband Stevie led his team out for the 2022 Scottish Cup final, is working with Big Hearts after losing Stevie to motor neurone disease.
Both campaigned to raise awareness of the condition and Mary, 65, became involved with the Big Hearts Community Trust while caring for her husband. Stevie was diagnosed in 2021 but continued attending matches at Tynecastle Park. The following year, he led the team out at Hampden Park for the Scottish Cup final against Rangers. He sadly passed away in 2024.
Mary is now giving back to Hearts and the charity which supported her family through difficult times. She is helping elderly people recall memories through archived images, football memorabilia and and themed discussions. The weekly Memories Group at Tynecastle Park, initially created in partnership with Alzheimer’s Scotland and the Scottish Football Museum, has been delivered by Big Hearts for over a decade.
This Saturday marks the 10th annual Big Hearts Day when Falkirk visit for a William Hill Premiership fixture. It is the biggest fundraiser on the charity’s calendar and Mary is a key part of their work. “Hearts gave Stevie his life right to the end. I truly believe football kept him going,” she explained. “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.”
The Memories sessions take place every Monday and Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm in the 1874 Fans Bar at Tynecastle Park, and are open to people aged 60 and over. Led by Big Hearts trained volunteers, the group welcomes people living with dementia, stroke survivors, care home residents and those at risk of loneliness. Attendance is free and includes a hot drink and refreshments.
Mary began bringing her father-in-law, 90-year-old Les Morris, along to the group. As both men’s health declined, the sessions became an important space to share memories and maintain connection. While Les can no longer attend the club, Mary still keeps him regularly updated on Memories. She said Les is remembered with great affection by those who attended alongside him.
“When you’re caring for someone, your world can get very small,” she explained. “Bringing Les along gave us somewhere safe to talk about Stevie and share stories with other people who understood. Losing a son at any age is horrible. This helps him remember all the incredible times they had through football.
“Volunteering has given me purpose again. When you lose your partner, your whole life changes overnight. 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.”
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. Ahead of the 10th Big Hearts Day, Mary is urging supporters to donate 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.”
Big Hearts Day takes place on Saturday 21 February during Hearts v Falkirk at Tynecastle Park. To support Big Hearts Day 2026 and help sustain programmes including Memories, visit www.bighearts.org.uk