Albion legends promise Seagulls fans a bike ride to remember
Brighton & Hove Albion legends Guy Butters and Danny Cullip are raising money for Albion in the Community (AITC) by joining a bike ride to Cologne.
The former Seagulls defenders now work for AITC and have seen first-hand the impact the charity’s work has in the local area.
Now they are determined to do their bit to raise money to help fund AITC’s football sessions for people with a disability by joining its annual European cycle challenge.
The ride departs the American Express Community Stadium on Thursday 7 June and returns on the Sunday, with the cycling taking place over two days.
It will be the third time Butters has taken part, but for his old central defensive side-kick Cullip, it will be his first experience of AITC’s cycle challenge.
Cullip, however, cannot wait.
“I am really looking forward to it,” he said. “I haven’t been on a bike for years so it will be a real challenge but I know how important the work AITC does is. The opportunities that the charity provides to local people who have a disability are fantastic and the impact AITC has on people is something I am incredibly proud of.
“Being able to play football is the sort of thing people can take for granted, but for a lot of our players at AITC, it wouldn’t be something they could do without the charity.”
Cullip and Butters make quite the double-act and AITC is hoping Seagulls fans keen to hear stories from the club’s Withdean era sign-up to take part in the cycle challenge alongside the former Albion stars.
Butters was also keen to point out the supportive role the pair plan on playing during the ride.
“We will be taking up a position right at the back – just like in our playing days,” he explained.
“AITC’s cycle challenges are not about going as fast as you can, they are about supporting each other to make sure we all reach the finish line.”
Cullip added: “We’ll be there to encourage everyone. Guy and I will be last line of defence!”
Butters and Cullip are jointly collecting sponsorship online and will give one sponsor the chance to enjoy a free meal with them both in return for their support.
Butters explained: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has sponsored us. When we get back we will pick one person at random and take them and a guest out for a meal as a thank you.”
For more information on AITC’s cycle challenge, which is again being generously supported by American Express, email: fundraising@bhafcfoundation.org.uk or call 01273 878246.
To sponsor Butters and Cullip, visit: www.justgiving.com/guyanddannyinthesaddle .