The Baggies first team took time out their busy schedule to learn all about the Club’s life-changing charity ahead of Foundation Day.
The Albion Foundation welcomed Slaven Bilić’s men to take a look at the inspirational work undertaken by the charity in the local area.
It was an afternoon full of smiles for Slaven’s side as they were shown the ropes of powerchair football by back-to-back league-title winners Albion Powerchair before working with the charity’s boys, girls and pan-disability under-19s side. They also discussed their favourite footballing moments at dementia group, Albion Memories.
Speaking after the visit, Chris Brunt expressed his amazement at the Foundation’s growth during his time at the Club.
“I’ve been here a long time and how much the Foundation has grown since I’ve been here is remarkable and that’s all down to their hard work,” he said.
“I look forward to coming down and helping out whenever we visit, it is always enjoyable.”
An integral part of the Club, the charity’s positive community work doesn’t go unnoticed by the first-team.
“What we have at the football club with the Foundation is a big part of what we do and the work done behind the scenes for the local community is fantastic,” added Chris.
Albion Academy and local lad Romaine Sawyers knows the impact the Club’s charitable arm has on the area.
“The work that they’ve been doing for a long time shows and it’s expanded massively since I was last here, so it’s definitely going in the right direction.
Posing for selfies and signing Albion memorabilia is standard player appearance procedure and Romaine knows that meeting his Albion heroes would have been a dream for him as a schoolboy.
“Growing up I would have loved someone from Albion to come into my school so now that I’m this side of the fence it’s important we go and do it. Giving back when we can is always a good message.”
This year, the charity is calling on fans to ‘bring a pound to the ground’ to help their push for a new disability minibus.
Supporters who do not carry cash, or who will not be at the Cardiff game are welcome to donate £1 by texting TAF to 70470. Alternatively, visit the Foundation’s JustGiving page.
And the Club will match every pound raised by supporters as the Foundation looks to find the cash required to purchase the specialist vehicle.