Big Hearts is sending more than 500 Heart of Midlothian supporters to the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday - and that number could grow further with upward of £27,000 raised through donations from fans.

The club's charity arm has been blown away by the response to an idea that came about over the weekend with more than 1,200 donating. 

As things stand, 250 fans will be going on buses that have been organised, leaving from Tynecastle Park and Wester Hailes High School on Sunday morning. It involved phoning between 25 and 30 companies with Edinburgh Coach Hire and Park's of Hamilton helping out with transport.

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Others will go to the game via train with tickets purchased from ScotRail. Plus, 500 food vouchers have been procured.

On Tuesday morning the figure stood at under £5,000 donated. Over the past three days, it has soared.

Speaking to Hearts Standard, Craig Wilson, Big Hearts chief executive, has said it has been "relentless". The charity gets an email every time someone donates. It has now calmed down to a point where staff are receiving one every five minutes. 

"It is a total throwback to the Hearts fans' rallies back when the club were issuing shares under the Romanov era and people were giving money for nothing basically", Wilson said. "It's had that feel for me all week. People are literally wanting to do anything they can to help.

"Maybe I shouldn't be surprised. The support we get and the support the clubs gets... I'm not sure if it is because of history, because of where we've been, or what we've done, there is a complement to Big Hearts in there I am sure, but the response of fans is always unbelievable.

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"This is just mind-blowing that folk have done what they've done. Supporters groups coming together and throwing in £500, £800, £1000 at a time."

It is easy to look at the figures and be blown away by it all. But beyond the donations and the various numbers are the individuals it is helping. Win, lose or draw it will allow families, children and Hearts fans of all ages to experience something they may not have had the chance to do if it wasn't for the generosity of the club's support.

"It's brilliant for Big Hearts but it is brilliant for the folk who are going," Wilson said. "Some of the stories. Folk who have never been to Hampden, folk who have only been in the country for a year, folk who would never have dreamed they would be taking their kids to Hampden, kids who have been to Tynecastle once. That's the other side of it that's easy to miss."

Fans can donate HERE or enter a raffle for a unique Big Hearts anniversary kit HERE - Big Hearts has provided an update to say it will stay away from any new monetary or ticket donations at 8pm on Thursday evening due to logistics of organising for Sunday.