It’s been a summer of change on and off the pitch at Priory Lane, and part of The Sports’ new mantra is to promote and support local charities and the community.

And that’s why the club are delighted to announce You Raise Me Up as our Charity of the Year for the 2023/24 campaign.

The ‘You Raise Me Up’ charity was founded by the late Jane Brooks and her husband Fraser in June 2011. Based in East Sussex, their sole purpose is to raise funds to support families that have suffered the loss of a young person aged between 16 and 25 from East & West Sussex and Kent.

“We’re proud to be supporting such a fantastic local charity…”

The aim of the charity is to be able to provide compassion, support and simply to be able to say ‘we totally understand’ rather than ‘we cannot imagine what you’re going through’. They have trained, experienced counsellors available, including child and adolescent counsellors to help people through the dark times.

The mental health impact of the death of a child on surviving family members is huge. The charity support them to survive that and stabilise their mental wellbeing enabling them to function again in everyday life an support their lives going forward.

That’s where Eastbourne Borough share similarities. In addition to support on the pitch, the focus from the new ownership also extends to off the pitch matters, including player care and support.

“We’re proud to be supporting such a fantastic local charity,” said Eastbourne Borough Chief Executive, Alan Williams.

“The work You Raise Me Up do in our local community is unlike any other, and we are excited to help them in any way possible, and look forward to hosting fundraising events in the future.”

As part of the partnership, You Raise Me Up are Match Sponsors for tomorrow’s (Saturday 26 August) National League South fixture with Truro City at Priory Lane.

Annemarie Field, chair of the trustees at You Raise Me Up, said, “We are delighted and humbled to have been chosen as Eastbourne Borough Football Club’s Charity of the Year.

“We know that under their new stewardship, Eastbourne Borough FC has ambitious plans; and being able to develop alongside them benefits us as we grow, develop, and expand as a charity. We value the support we receive from businesses such as this in Eastbourne and the surrounding area.

“The last few years have been challenging for charities across the UK, especially local charities. Our families are at the heart of everything that we do, and being associated with a family and community orientated club such as Eastbourne Borough FC will help us continue to provide practical, emotional, and financial support to families who need us in their darkest hours.

“Everyone at You Raise Me Up is looking forward to partnering with Eastbourne Borough FC so we can ensure we continue to help those families whose lives have been affected by the death of a young person aged 16-25 years.”