Bruno appointed official patron of Albion in the Community
Brighton & Hove Albion legend Bruno has been unveiled as an official patron of Albion in the Community (AITC).
AITC invited Bruno to take up the role following his retirement from first team action at the end of last season.
And he was only too-pleased to accept – keen to continue his long-standing support of AITC.
Bruno will carry out his new role with AITC alongside his responsibilities as senior player development coach with the football club and is looking forward to getting out into the community to find out more about the work the charity is doing to support local people.
The popular former Seagulls captain was well-known for his support of AITC during his time as a player and has previously spoken passionately about how important he believes it is for professional footballers to use their platform to have a positive influence on their local communities.
And he is clearly determined to continue that support and wider community work despite no longer being a part of the club’s playing staff.
This Friday, for example, a share of ticket sales from the game with Valencia will be shared between several of Bruno’s favourite charities, and AITC will also be auctioning the match-worn shirts to raise money for its work.
Bruno, who donated a per-centage of his wages to charity as a player, said: “This is a real honour for me, and I was incredibly touched when Albion in the Community invited me to become their patron.
“The charity does amazing things in the local area and if I can help in any way, I am really happy to do so.
“I love the football club and I love the city, so giving something back seems a natural thing to do.
“I am really happy to be getting more involved with Albion in the Community. I have always loved going to its events and meeting the people the charity is working with – the work the charity is doing and how many people they’re helping, it’s incredible.”
Matt Dorn, AITC’s chief executive, was delighted Bruno had accepted the charity’s offer of becoming an official patron.
He said: “We are incredibly fortunate to receive fantastic support from Albion players from both the Premier League and Women’s Super League squads and I know how much that means to the thousands of people we work with.
“Each year an official ambassador is appointed from within both senior squads, but we also wanted to do something special to thank Bruno for the amazing support he has shown us throughout his time at the club.
“He is a superb role model and has always been a genuine inspiration to the people we work with.
“His willingness to embrace the local community, to offer support and encouragement to some of the most-vulnerable people living locally, and to lead by example on and off the pitch, is something which has impressed everyone at the charity.
“To my knowledge Albion in the Community has never had an official patron and myself and the board of trustees agreed it was a role we felt Bruno more than deserved.
“For Bruno to agree to become our patron and continue supporting our work as he moves to the next stage of his career is a real boost to the charity.”