Albion supporting Shelter’s #NoHomeKit campaign
Brighton & Hove Albion are one of five Premier League clubs supporting Shelter’s #NoHomeKit campaign aimed at raising money to support homeless people and families around the UK this Christmas.
Clubs in the Football League are allowed to wear their away and third kits at home on Boxing Day to raise awareness of homelessness.
The Premier League was its normal self when it comes to supporting the less fortunate and told its members they could not take part under rule M22.1 of the league handbook.
Despite not being allowed to don their incorrect kits, the Albion, Brentford, Everton, Tottenham and Watford have still committed to support the campaign.
Brighton will be encouraging fans who are attending the Boxing Day game with the Bees to turn up to the Amex not wearing their home shirt.
Instead, the club want to see a sea of mint green (or is it aqua?) away shirts, yellow third kits, black from 2019-20, green from 2018-19… anything but blue and white, basically.
At the same time, supporters are encouraged to donate whatever they can afford to Shelter through the #NoHomeKit Just Giving page.
Donating online allows Albion fans who are not battling the travel nightmare that is an 8pm kick off on a day when there is no public transport to support the cause, even if they are not physically making it to the Amex.
For those not planning on attending, why not donate to Shelter what you would have spent on food and drink at the Amex if you were at the game? The cost of a couple of pints, a pie and a £3.20 bag of Starburst would go a long way in the hands of Shelter.
In the space of one 90 minute game of football, 25 households will become homeless. Many of them will be families with children.
By ditching home colours and donating to Shelter, football fans will be helping find safe and secure homes for people whose lives are on the line and showing solidarity with people without a home.
Brighton supporting the #NoHomeKit campaign will not come as a surprise. Back in November, Graham Potter, Billy Reid and Brunoooooooooooooooo spent a night sleeping on the streets of the city as part of The Big Sleep Out to raise money and awareness of the homelessness that exists currently in Brighton.
Potter’s participation led to stories in all the national press, bringing priceless attention to The Big Sleep Out. The money that the Albion manager and his coaching team helped to raise along with everyone else who spent the night on the street went towards providing food, sleeping bags, clothes, showers, laundry services and emotional support for the homeless.
Speaking during the event, Potter said: “We had an easy version of sleeping rough, but it still gave us an insight into the challenges the homeless community face on a daily and nightly basis.”
“Having experienced just one night out on the street, I cannot imagine what it would be like suffering in this way with no idea of what the future holds or where the next meal might be coming from.”
“There is a ridiculous stigma attached. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and they need our help and support. Many are suffering from illness, poor health and it is heart breaking in 2021 that we still see people living on our streets.”
“There are some amazing charities across the UK, and here in Brighton & Hove, who do some amazing work. It’s getting tougher for those organisations, and as we move into the depths of winter when the nights will get colder, with temperatures going sub-zero, I would urge those of you who can, to give them your support this winter.”
The Albion will be publicising the #NoHomeKit campaign across their social media platforms in the run up to the Brentford game. Shelter have set a target of £250,000. If you can afford to donate, please do so here.
