Albion grant some Christmas Wishes

The Albion’s Christmas Wish for 2020 was much more of a virtual campaign, to reflect the difficult times we find ourselves in.

This year several supporters contacted us to nominate their special someone. With the help of many across the club and proudly backed by American Express we granted more than 40 wishes for very deserving Albion fans.

From Zoom calls with famous faces to Christmas gifts to put a smile on faces as well as a raft of video messages from players across the men’s and women’s first-team squads, we hope we have given a little bit back to inspirational people who have supported the club through difficult times while helping others. Here are some of the highlights...

Emily Wadge, Worthing

Nominated by mum Diana, Emily is a 22-year-old teacher and a lifelong Albion supporter.

Having led an incredibly active life, Emily was diagnosed with a cyst on the brain earlier on this year. While this slowed down her sporting activity, it couldn’t quell her charity work and she still raises money for the homeless.

Her condition means she cannot feel the left side of her body. She struggles to eat, suffers from fatigue and extreme pain because of constant muscle spasms and seizures.

But in her mum’s own words, “Emily still walks in every day with a smile on her face.”

Like most Albion supporters Emily is a big fan of club legend Bruno, and he was delighted to speak to her over Zoom and let her know that she has been invited to a future match, when we can safely accommodate her and her family, to give her an experience to remember.

Bruno described Emily as an ‘inspiration’, and those thoughts are echoed by her family and everyone at the club.

Staff at the Clocktower Sanctuary, Brighton

Barbara Danahar got in contact to nominate the Clocktower Sanctuary – a Brighton based charity who do extensive work with homeless 16–25-year-olds.

They allow young homeless people to ‘just be’, offering them somewhere to shower, do laundry, eat a healthy meal, use computers and get their post.

Run entirely by volunteers, the club were delighted to be able to give something back to an organisation who have done so much for the community.

Albion ambassador Steve Sidwell paid a visit to Clocktower Sanctuary to take a closer look and presented them with a shirt signed in full by the squad which will be framed and be put on display.

The staff were also invited to a future game where the red carpet will be rolled out as a thank you for their hard work.

Angela Nicholls and Rose Mikolay, Tenby

Ani Nicholls put forward her mum Angela and Aunty Rose after a tough 18 months.

Angela is a headteacher and, after losing her partner Bernard in October 2019 to cancer, her and sister Rose’s 91-year-old mother had a fall, and their brother had a stroke.

While her brother has now recovered, neither sister has been unable to visit her mum in her care home due to lockdown restrictions, while Rose looks after their other sister who has the autoimmune disease Lupus.

Women’s head coach Hope Powell delivered the good news on Zoom that the pair will be receiving Albion goodies in the post, and during the call the sisters revealed that they played for Albion’s women’s team in the early 1970s!

Paul and Julie Button, Fishergate

Nominated by daughter Claire, Paul and Julie Button set up a foodbank during lockdown in Fishergate.

Both Paul and Julie have suffered close family bereavements but have carried on working incredibly hard to support the local community and, according to Claire, work harder now than they did before retiring.

The only time they usually allow themselves a break is to support Albion, whom they have followed throughout the Goldstone, Withdean and now Amex days.

Once again, Steve Sidwell – who the pair didn’t recognise at first! – was pleased to award them a match worn and signed Solly March shirt, as well as delivering a special video message from Solly.

The couple have been invited to an Albion game in the future, where they will be treated to VIP hospitality.