Albion fan the Mighty Fin raises thousands for Make-a-Wish

More than £10,300 has now been donated to the fundraiser for Make-A-Wish set up by Paul Williams, his son Fin - better known to Seagulls supporters as the Mighty Fin - and their friend Neil Avery.

The campaign was launched after singer-songwriter Neil wrote a song dedicated to Paul and Fin, and the incredible bond they share.

In normal times, the committed pair make the 600-mile round trip to the Amex and back from North Wales most weekends to watch their beloved Albion play.

Fin was diagnosed with Mowat-Wilson syndrome, a rare genetic condition meaning he is unable to speak. But the 16-year-old is always in good voice when he travels to support the Albion, singing, shouting and clapping for the full 90 minutes.

A song has been released to celebrate the Mighty Fin, one of Albion's most dedicated supporters

Neil's song, "Some Beautiful Memories", captured the moments the Paul and Fin have shared during their many mammoth journeys.

And the track resonated with Seagulls supporters, as well as fans of other clubs, who could relate to the amazing bonds formed on a matchday.

Despite only being launched in December, the fundraiser has now surpassed its £10,000 target.

Paul said: "When my wife and I heard Neil’s song, it moved us to tears. As many parents of children with mental and physical health challenges will know, our ‘special one’ means the world to us. Correction, he IS our world.

A song has been released to celebrate the Mighty Fin, one of Albion's most dedicated supporters

"As you know, Fin can’t speak and that means he can’t tell us when he is in pain, upset, scared or angry.

"However, we always know when he is happy and he is most happy when we travel the 300 miles down to watch the Seagulls play. Neil’s song captured the magic of that happiness perfectly."

Fin has a dedicated following of thousands of football fans on his Facebook page, The Mighty Fin's I Have No Voice Page. Here, Paul - or Baldilocks, as he refers to himself - provides a light-hearted daily documentary of what his son is getting up to.

Many of these loyal followers were among those to donate to the fundraiser.

A song has been released to celebrate the Mighty Fin, one of Albion's most dedicated supporters

Paul said: "We are absolutely blown away by the incredible support from Fin fans and football fans, not just those at Brighton but at other clubs as well. That was a big surprise.

"It is the Brighton fans and players that have touched our hearts the most though. The support has been quite simply staggering.

"As of today we have raised more than £10,300 plus a further £1,929 via Gift Aid.

"We never dreamt of anything like that and we would like to thank every single person that donated because they can feel very proud that they have helped make a ‘wish’ come true for a very deserving young person and their family at a time they really need a lift."

The Mighty Fin and his dad Paul Williams have made some beautiful memories at The Amex

He also paid special thanks to former Albion players Shane Duffy and Bruno Saltor, who were both vocal in their support for the fundraising campaign.

" I feel so grateful to all the Brighton staff and players because whenever they see Fin, they make such an effort to spend time with him," Paul said.

"Bruno, Shane, Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Glenn Murray in particular have always gone out of the way to share their valuable time with him and they have no idea what that does for my wife Mel and I because those moments are memories we cherish.

The Mighty Fin and his dad Paul Williams have made some beautiful memories at The Amex

"People say football supporters are like a family and that when it’s needed, they will pull together for the greater good.

"This has been very evident throughout our fundraising. We even had a donation from a Crystal Palace supporter."

The money raised will go to charity group Make-A-Wish.

The Mighty Fin and his dad Paul Williams have made some beautiful memories at The Amex

“Every time he is at the football, that is Fin’s wish,” songwriter Neil Avery said. “He could have tea with the Queen and a helicopter ride, but being at the Amex is his thing.”

“It was always my desire to try and replicate that for other people,” Paul added, saying he and Fin had developed a large group of friends during their time following Albion. Many also have disabilities, and all are Seagulls superfans.

“In my eyes there are so many others who are more deserving. There are some beautiful, beautiful children and disabled supporters at Brighton that have got challenges much worse than Fin.”