NHS workers from Sussex were guests of honour for a recent Albion match, thanks to a sponsor of the Premier League club.

Chris Ruff, managing director of workwear company Snickers UK - one of the kit sponsors for the Seagulls - was inspired by the work of his daughter, who has served as a nurse during the pandemic.

During Albion’s clash with Watford, Chris donated half of his match sponsorship package to six NHS workers from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and South Central Ambulance Service.

Chris said: “My daughter, Gemma, is a nurse. I saw what he went through throughout Covid and how hard it was for her and everyone working in the NHS. I saw how she was at the end of another 14-hour day.

“I wanted to do what I could for local heroes.”

The package for the workers, chosen for their efforts during the pandemic, included hospitality in the award-winning Harry Bloom’s restaurant at the Amex Stadium.

Angie Mitchell, an ICU sister at The Royal Sussex County Hospital, said: “We had an amazing time. I have been a Brighton fan all my life, so it was an honour to represent the ICU team.

“There was an outpouring of love to the NHS from everybody at the stadium and they all seemed very grateful for the efforts we have made over the past 18 months.”

Angie was also joined by Hayley White, Jack Moore, Max Denyer, Lucas Zampieri and Grant Adams.

Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said: “Snickers UK have been an excellent partner and supporter of the club backing both our men’s and women’s team, and this is a wonderful gesture to local NHS staff.

“The amazing efforts of NHS and other health workers across Sussex, and across the country in general, has been truly incredible and it is great to see their work recognised in this way.

“On behalf of the club, I would like to thank Chris for this very kind donation and his ongoing support to the club.”

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust provides a wide range of clinical services to people in West Sussex, Brighton and Hove and parts of East Sussex.

Their seven hospitals host more than 1.5 million outpatient appointments, A and E visits and surgery cases every year.

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