Exciting time at the Southlanders in Shoreham

Albion in the Community, the charitable arm of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, popped in to say thank you for the group’s support.

Then on Saturday, the Southlanders Community Café, in Milward Court, Wilmot Road, Shoreham, was packed out for the annual Christmas fair.

Chairman Ann Martin and volunteer Doreen Spears were praised for their work supporting Albion in the Community by spreading the message about the early signs of cancer.

Louisa Hernandez from the Albion’s Be Cancer Aware (ABC) campaign presented the pair with mugs, engraved with their names, and Brighton and Hove team pictures.

Ann said: “This campaign has now come to an end due to lack of funding but in its time has saved lives by referring people to their GPs.

“We were part of the only community group to volunteer to get this message across and have referred people. Most of the people referred were given the all clear but some are now undergoing treatment with a brighter future ahead.

“If anyone is willing to fund this campaign to promote other rarer signs of cancer, please contact Albion in the Community.”

For the Christmas fair, it was Santa’s turn to visit the café and hand out sweets and chocolates to both children and adults. Christmas lists were collected from the children and forwarded to his elves.

The fair had a variety of stalls selling Christmas gifts and decorations, cakes, handmade crafts, books and bric-a-brac.

Ann said: “A raffle supported by local people and businesses was a huge success, with prizes ranging from cameras and shopping vouchers to hampers and drinks.

“A lucky dip gave up lots of different goodies and a guess the number of sweets in two jars gave two chances of winning the jar.

“A children’s table was occupied by those children who liked to colour, make cards and play games, while their parents enjoyed a cup of tea and homemade cakes and snacks.”

The fair raised £600 towards funds and the Southlanders committee thanked everyone who supported it, as well as the volunteers for their hard work.

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