Wonga pay Hearts 'significant' sponsorship money in advance Hearts" sponsors Wonga have paid the club a sum of sponsorship money in advance. The figure is being kept confidential but is believed to be a five-figure sum and comes as the club aims to raise between £500,000 and £750,000 to get through the next four months of administration. Administrators BDO were appointed last week, sparking a fundraising effort from fans to help the club make it through. It comes on the same day the Office of Fair Trading announced they were launching an investigation into payday lenders, such as Wonga. The company have sponsored the Tynecastle side since the 2011/12 season and agreed to fast track their money for the coming season. Marketing director Darryl Bowman said: "We are a proud supporter of Hearts, and we want to do everything we can to help during this turbulent period. We are making this payment with our eyes wide open. Naturally, there's risk attached but Hearts needs everyone to pull together. If other commercial partners follow our lead, we are optimistic that the fans and football will get the result we all want - a sustainable and competitive Hearts. Hearts managing director David Southern said the confidence shown by Wonga should encourage other companies to help out the club. He said: "Wonga has stepped up to the mark and shown us a first class show of support and have agreed to back the club in the forthcoming months. They will back us financially which will be a huge step towards the survival of the club over the summer months. We still need to drive the season tickets but I think Wonga have been so heartened by what they saw from the initial reaction from the supporters and the momentum that's been built up. We hope that Wonga stepping forward will help more corporate sponsors to step forward and release funds to the club. I'm a realist but [the situation at Hearts] has certainly improved in the last 12 hours, where we have had quite detailed discussions with Wonga. It is a substantial number but it's not so much about the figure but the timing. They had a chance to cut their ties with Hearts, they decided not to do so and they decided to reinforce their backing of the club Administrators BDO said July was a "difficult month" for Hearts with no games to provide income and keep them going until a buyer can be found. Trevor Birch said: "We greatly appreciate this early payment from Wonga. They have certainly stepped up to the plate. Things are tight right now and the financial support from Wonga is a real boost. This vote of confidence together with the incredible reaction from the supporters is giving us more confidence that we can get through this difficult period.