Off The Fence wins Seagull's Players Award

Paul Young, CEO of Off The Fence, has won the Sarah Watts Inspiration Award, sponsored by Tan’s Tasty Cakes in the annual Brighton & Hove Albion Players Awards on Monday 9th at the Amex.

Since Paul and his wife Wendy founded the charity in 1997, Off the Fence Trust has worked to redress the social and economic imbalances in Brighton & Hove through its homeless, women’s and schools work. In the last couple of years through economic downturns, lockdowns and rising rents, the charity has implemented ever more inventive ways to maintain its essential services.

These included a major sleep-out on the north side of St Peter’s Church last November when 100 supporters slept out for the night and paid £20 for the privilege. With the help of some large businesses and the participation of Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Billy Reid, the event raised a staggering £34k in one night.

Paul and his team has helped tens of thousands of rough sleepers, thousands of vulnerable women and more than 100,000 school children in that time. It has raised and spent over £9 million to make a real difference in this City.

Brighton & Hove Albion has been instrumental in this its 25th year in raising both profile and money through the active participation of patrons Graham Potter and his wife Rachel, and Bruno and his wife Raquel. Off The Fence is currently one of five Mayor’s charities; and in addition to the Brighton coaches, numbers Peter Kyle MP and Claire Martin OBE amongst its patrons.