Charity Dinner raises almost £160k
Saints Foundation’s annual charity dinner raised almost £160,000 to support life-changing work throughout Southampton.
The charity arm of Southampton Football Club worked with 2.4% of the city’s population last season across its key focus areas of Health, Education, Pathways away from crime, Gender Equality and Employability.
Saints Foundation’s Charity Dinner our way of celebrating the stories that come from our work, thanking some of its biggest supporters, and raising more money to ensure it can continue to make a difference to so many lives.
Principal Partner of both the club and Foundation, P&O Cruises, once again returned as Headline Partner, alongside Event Partners Barratt David Wilson Homes, CBRE, TURF by Southampton FC and Peter Cooper Motor Group.
Both Southampton FC first teams were well represented, with women’s first team captain Atlanta Primus alongside men’s first team players Leo Scienza, Cam Bragg and Oriol Romeu. Legends were also in attendance, with Saints Foundation Ambassadors Franny Benali and Marieanne Spacey-Cale, as well as a table represented by the Ex-Saints.
The evening began Saints Foundation Managing Director Sam Fulling presenting Rosie Elstone, Culture Director of P&O Cruises, with a framed shirt commemorating our Charity Matchday. The Foundation’s logo was front and centre during the game thanks to a generous donation from P&O Cruises of their usual front-of-shirt position.
CEO of Southampton Football Club Phil Parsons and men’s first team Head Coach Tonda Eckert took to the stage after starters and mains were served, both echoing the importance of Saints Foundation to the football club.
Despite all the star power in the room, it was the stories that stole the show.
The first came from Jean, who led an active life before hip surgery left her lower right leg paralysed. The resulting loss of independence was difficult for her to accept.
That was before she was recommended to come to Senior Saints, a safe space for over-60s to stay physically active and socialise. Senior Saints is one of the Foundation’s longest-running projects.
Joined by a friend she had made at the sessions, Jean shared how Senior Saints had helped her go from “thinking I can’t do anything to thinking I can if I adapt”. Project Coordinator Connor Willsher explained how Jean’s personality and energy bring life to Senior Saints sessions — something everyone in the room witnessed during the Charity Dinner.
Next came the presentation of the Jordan Willsher Award, which is given each year in memory of a young participant who overcame huge barriers to become a role model to his peers. The award recognises a participant who reflects those same values, and the 2026 Jordan Willsher Award winner was Sergios.
After moving from Athens to Southampton with his family, Sergios began attending Premier League Kicks sessions after spotting one from his bedroom window. As the bedrock of his family, his responsibilities often impacted his social life.
Premier League Kicks became something he could do for himself, helping him build positive connections with staff and peers alike. Before long he began volunteering, something he has continued to do for the last few years, helping him truly find his place in the city.
Finally, a story from the men’s mental health group Saints by your Side brought an emotional end to the night. Martin, who grew up in care, has struggled with his mental health throughout his life. After leaving the army, where he found a sense of belonging, depression continued to be part of his life.
When his wife became ill, the thought of losing her made him feel like “a big black shadow was coming over me”. After receiving counselling, he was recommended Saints by your Side, “and since then it has been up and up and up”.
The connection with staff and fellow participants helped Martin stop isolating out of fear and instead find strength in being around other people. From there, he decided he wanted to give back and applied to become a casual minibus driver.
This role primarily supports the Falls Recovery project, helping older adults who have recently experienced an injurious fall get to their Saints Foundation sessions each week. Martin has also driven for other projects, supporting our participants across the generations.
Martin’s courage and openness on the night inspired the room. The table of Ex-Saints, heroes to lifelong fan Martin, all made sure to shake his hand as he stepped off the stage.
The theme of the night was connection, and in a tough funding climate for charities, it is the connection of supporters to the cause that can truly make a difference to the life-changing work Saints Foundation delivers.
If you would like to support our work, find out how on our 'Support Us' page.
