AN ALBION legend is taking a night to “switch off” from the demands of life at a Premier League club to raise money for charity by sleeping rough.
Bruno Saltor, who captained Albion to the Premier League for the first time in 2017, is attending the Big Sleep Out, which involves a night of sleeping outside to experience some of the challenges homeless people face.
The 41-year-old told The Argus he will try to stop thinking about football to focus on fundraising and raising awareness for the homeless in Brighton and Hove with Off The Fence, a charity that provide support to the city’s homeless.
Bruno, who now works as a player development coach, is being joined by Albion boss Graham Potter, and said they will not be speaking about "Watkins and Ings" ahead of Albion’s trip to take on Aston Villa the week after.
He told The Argus: “We will try to switch off a little bit and focus on what is important on that day.
“To be honest, sometimes it is difficult to switch off when something is a passion for you. It’s 24/7, we are always talking about football because that is our life.
"But obviously when we are there, we are going to be focused on trying to help Off The Fence. To raise that awareness, it is so important to realise that a lot of people are still struggling since the pandemic.
“It has been a hard two years for everyone but there are a lot of people still struggling. The consequences of that, they are massive.”
Money raised from the event will go towards some of the charity’s work such as its Anti-freeze Project, which offers a range of care including food, sleeping bags, clothes, showers and laundry services at its day centre and emotional support for the homeless.
Bruno has been involved with several charities over the years, including Off The Fence and Chestnut Tree House children's hospice.
He said: “At the end of the day, I’m passionate around good actions. I think it’s what life is about.
“That’s what I try to do, just make those big or small actions that can make the difference."
Bruno and Graham Potter will also be joined by author Michael Morpurgo.
Bruno said: “With Off The Fence and Chestnut Tree House, they’re all helping a lot of people in a tough situation.
“Now with the homeless as we know is something that is rising and here in Brighton there are a lot [of homeless people]. And how we can help them, not just to give them somewhere to sleep or something to eat. But how we can look after them to get them their life back.”
Paul Young, founder at Off The Fence and a Brighton fan, is delighted Bruno is taking part.
He said: “It’s fantastic to have Bruno as part of our patrons. Having somebody who has got a real heart for Brighton and a real heart for the needs of Brighton.
“To have somebody that is so busy but willing to give up a night on to make such an impact shows such a big-hearted man and we are so thankful to him.”
The event is taking place at St Peter’s Church in York Place, Brighton, on November 12 from 6pm and will involve shelter building, interviews and testimonies, dinner, an acoustic music set and a celebrity story time, all to raise money for Off The Fence.
Paul said tickets can still be bought and he is hoping for around 100 people to join in. For more information, visit the charity's website.
Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01273 021 400.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel