Glenn Murray on why Albion players made this brilliant six-figure donation to new charity fund

Brighton & Hove Albion players have teamed up to make a substantial six-figure donation to kick off a new charity fund for local charities.
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The first-team squad made the collective gesture to launch the Albion as One Fund, donating a significant portion of their April wages – with the players’ initial amount further boosted by a donation from Tony Bloom and his fellow directors.

The proceeds from the fund – which will also be opened up to staff and fans who may wish to donate – will be distributed to a combination of local charities and good causes supporting our communities during this crisis, and who have seen their own fundraising efforts become more difficult.

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The club’s senior management and players have been in regular dialogue throughout the coronavirus crisis. The players have already made a private and significant donations to three local charities a month ago.

Glenn MurrayGlenn Murray
Glenn Murray

Those discussions on behalf of the players have been led by captain Lewis Dunk and Glenn Murray.

Murray explained, “There’s a collective desire from everyone within the squad and the club to do something for local charities suffering as a result of the crisis.

“The people of Brighton & Hove and across Sussex have always been there for this football club going back a long way, and as players and representatives of the club we want to show the same support we’ve had from our community, week in, week out for so long.

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“We want to kickstart this fund with the aim of raising a substantial amount for local good causes. We will then work with the club’s staff to agree how we will distribute the money raised amongst local charities who’ve been hardest hit as a result of the coronavirus.”

Murray and Dunk continue to act as representatives for the first team players and discuss possible wage reductions or deferrals with the club's hierarchy. Albion players remain on full pay and were given time off until May 1.

The club's three highest earners from the non-playing staff Paul Barber, Dan Ashworth and Graham Potter all took "significant" pay cuts.

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