A peloton of Albion and Crystal Palace fans are putting their historic rivalry to one side to raise money for charity.Supporters of the two clubs will cycle the 50-miles between Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium and the Albion’s Amex home this Sunday (29th September) in memory of a Seagulls fan who died during the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York.
Robert Eaton was working in the World Trade Centre when the planes hit the Twin Towers and, once news of his tragic and untimely death reached Sussex, fellow fans set up a charity in his name.
Since then the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund (REMF) has raised more than £120,000 which has been given to local junior sports clubs, helped fund a team in Robert’s adopted home of Queens, New York, and supported footballing charities working with victims of HIV and AIDS in Africa.
This weekend fans of the two arch rivals will ride together between the two grounds, taking in the energy-sapping climb up Ditchling Beacon.
Ride organisers James Snook and Brett Mendoza hope the 18 cyclists will raise £5,000 for the REMF, with the money helping to provide under privileged kids of Sussex and Croydon with sports kit and equipment.
Some have even agreed to expand the route by cycling from The Amex to Selhurst Park and back.
Gareth Glover, REMF Chairman said of the ride, “It is a wonderful thing that a large group of football supporters from rival teams can put their differences aside, cycle 50 miles together and raise money for the REMF to continue its good work locally, in Croydon and across the world. The fund with five annual fund raising events, continues to go from strength to strength, 12 years after the terrible events of 9/11 in the name and memory of Robert Eaton."*
Mendoza, a long-time supporter of the REMF, added, “There is a great mixture of people taking part. Male, female, old and young and all of different cycling abilities.
“Four of the group are even cycling to Selhurst Park first to double the size of challenge and it is a great physical challenge which will raise a lot of money for a brilliant cause.”
The riders will be supported by the new £30,000 Albion in the Community mini bus, which the REMF bought for the charity earlier in the year.
Around £3,000 has been raised so far and anyone wanting to add to the amount can do so online at www.justgiving.com/teams/REMF2013BikeRide.
Original article
Robert Eaton was working in the World Trade Centre when the planes hit the Twin Towers and, once news of his tragic and untimely death reached Sussex, fellow fans set up a charity in his name.
Since then the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund (REMF) has raised more than £120,000 which has been given to local junior sports clubs, helped fund a team in Robert’s adopted home of Queens, New York, and supported footballing charities working with victims of HIV and AIDS in Africa.
This weekend fans of the two arch rivals will ride together between the two grounds, taking in the energy-sapping climb up Ditchling Beacon.
Ride organisers James Snook and Brett Mendoza hope the 18 cyclists will raise £5,000 for the REMF, with the money helping to provide under privileged kids of Sussex and Croydon with sports kit and equipment.
Some have even agreed to expand the route by cycling from The Amex to Selhurst Park and back.
Gareth Glover, REMF Chairman said of the ride, “It is a wonderful thing that a large group of football supporters from rival teams can put their differences aside, cycle 50 miles together and raise money for the REMF to continue its good work locally, in Croydon and across the world. The fund with five annual fund raising events, continues to go from strength to strength, 12 years after the terrible events of 9/11 in the name and memory of Robert Eaton."*
Mendoza, a long-time supporter of the REMF, added, “There is a great mixture of people taking part. Male, female, old and young and all of different cycling abilities.
“Four of the group are even cycling to Selhurst Park first to double the size of challenge and it is a great physical challenge which will raise a lot of money for a brilliant cause.”
The riders will be supported by the new £30,000 Albion in the Community mini bus, which the REMF bought for the charity earlier in the year.
Around £3,000 has been raised so far and anyone wanting to add to the amount can do so online at www.justgiving.com/teams/REMF2013BikeRide.
Original article