10 community heroes honoured at the Amex Stadium

American Express and Brighton and Hove Albion have named 10 Sussex-based ‘Community Heroes’ chosen to be honoured in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Amex Stadium.

The ‘Community Heroes’ have been selected following a competition launched by American Express and the Albion this September, calling for nominations of those who have made a significant contribution to the local Sussex community over the past 10 years.

Among the chosen 10 Sussex-based Community Heroes is Purple People Food Bank volunteer Colin Crowe, Ian Ross, giving underrepresented young people access to bespoke traineeship programmes and Gemma Kybert, supporting parents bereaved through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death through a founded charity.

The full list of 10 Community Heroes is below:

• Sel Selvan Chelliah – Small business owner working tirelessly to donate to the homeless in the local community
• Colin Crowe – Purple People Food Bank volunteer, collecting and distributing food to hundreds of families
• Jim Deans – Founder of Sussex Homeless Support, helping over 500 individuals every week through the charity
• Gemma Kybert – Founder and charity director of Oscar’s Wish Foundation, a Sussex charity that supports parents bereaved through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
• Colin Lyall – Founder of ‘Say Aphasia’, a charity to help people with communication difficulties following brain injury
• John & Kay Price – Working together to promote the Sussex game of Stoolball for all ages and abilities
• Ian Ross – Giving underrepresented young people the chance to get into professions they would not otherwise be able to access through bespoke traineeship programmes
• Michelle Shrieves – Founder of non-profit charity Epilepsy Sussex, offering support and advice for people with epilepsy and also for their families and carers
• Martin Thomas – Spearheading meditation evenings to help the community with its mental health during lockdown
• Michelle Tipper – Fundraiser for Albion In The Community

Each of these Community Heroes has had their name stitched on a seat in the American Express Lounge at the stadium, in recognition of their achievements and in celebration of 10 years of the Amex.

The Community Heroes were invited to attend the unveiling at the stadium, hosted by American Express and Brunoooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

In addition to having their name honoured on a seat within the Amex Lounge at the stadium, each Community Hero will receive a pair of VIP hospitality tickets to watch Brighton host Newcastle in the Premier League.

Graham Potter said: “Honouring ten Community Heroes is a wonderful way to celebrate ten years of the Amex. The stories of these Heroes are truly inspiring, and I’m in awe of the incredible things that they have done to support and help the community over the past ten years.”

Beverly Sawyers, Vice President at American Express, commented: “The American Express Community Stadium is for the enjoyment of all football fans in Sussex and the wider local community, and we are delighted to be celebrating 10 years of the partnership.”

“It felt only fitting that after ten years of serving the community, we honoured some of these inspiring Heroes who have dedicated themselves to the local area.”

“We were overwhelmed by all the remarkable stories that were shared with us, and hope that honouring these ten truly deserving individuals within the stadium is a fitting tribute to their work.”

The Community Heroes were chosen by a panel of judges with representatives from American Express, the Albion and local community station More Radio, who hosted the competition.

Since becoming the Official Stadium Partner of BHAFC in 2011, American Express has provided longstanding support for Albion in the Community.

AITC is the charitable arm of the Albion, supporting the Sussex community in areas of education, sports, disability, social inclusion and health and with a significant colleague volunteer programme.