Day 3 of the BRIT 2012 Challenge and I must admit the body is a little sore and achy. 10 miles each day is close to the limit for me to sustain for the next month, however I need to work hard to reduce the miles. As I headed out the door to begin my drive to Brighton, the skies were once again grey, the wind was blowing, but I was already thinking about the walk ahead, excited to get going and meet a new community.
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| With Matt Mead, Head of Education, Albion in the Community |
Today I walked at the Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club. The Albion FC, also known as the Seagulls, was incredibly welcoming and very kind to host the Challenge. They have a strong community spirit, which means that they are active in providing services to the local community. Included in their Albion in the Community initiatives is the Disabilities Football Project providing football to young people across Sussex “whatever their needs or ability, the opportunity to play the game at his or her own level.”
They also provide a variety of football and exercise courses to young people and health initiatives. These vary from educating young people about healthy lifestyles, a men’s health initiative and a sun safety campaign. I was impressed with all of their community outreach and dedication focusing on the benefits of sports.
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| With Manager, Gus Poyet |
The passion at the club to support the community and be at the heart of the community is clearly evident and their Chairman, Tony Bloom, has made so much possible. It was a pleasure to meet their manager, Gus Poyet, and I was looked after throughout the day by Matt Mead, Head of Education, Albion in the Community, who looked after the students of Chichester College, a local school who joined me as well as three crews from East Sussex Fire Service who joined me and encouraged me throughout the day.
In that spirit I want to challenge all of the professional Football and Rugby Clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to join the BRIT 2012 Challenge and raise money for their local charities.
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| With East Sussex Fire Service |
This is a great opportunity for clubs to show their ongoing support of the communities they play for. So, Albion FC would you take on the challenge of inviting the football community to follow your example and encourage them to register for the BRIT 2012 Challenge and show young people what he football community can do? If each club challenges another club, the BRIT 2012 Challenge will snowball and together we can encourage every school, college and university to register for the BRIT 2012 Challenge.
My thanks to everyone that walked at the Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club with me. Lisa Humphries, the Student Experience Manager at Chichester College, walked every step with me.
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| With students from Chichester College |
The Chichester College students, together with Micky Riddell and other college staff, came out in the rain and walked with me. It was great to talk to the students about their hopes and aspirations. When I’m out there walking and listening to young people the time passes by so quickly. After that the Woodingdean Primary School visited and walked mile 3 with me. While it was a little cold and windy, they were not going to be stopped and I had great fun with them and their teachers. Finally, I had a great boost when the East Sussex Fire Services came out to join me and lend their support.
1980 miles to go…
Phil