Brentford fans donate generously to support those living in poverty in west London | OneFootball

367 food items and £2,256 was donated for people in the community living in poverty thanks to activity organised by Brentford and Utilita Giving, the charity arm of club partner Utilita.

The generous food contributions, given by fans and staff, will go to Hounslow Community FoodBox, while the money raised will be split equally between the FoodBox and Utilita Giving, who took over the Premier League matchday for the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion to Gtech Community stadium to drive the fundraising activities.

Supporters took time out of their matchday to make donations of food items and money outside of the Gtech before Thomas Frank's side beat the Seagulls 4-2.

The club’s chief executive Jon Varney and chair Cliff Crown also dropped off donations on the day, while club mascots Buzz and Buzzette paid a visit to the Utilita Giving team.

As part of the matchday takeover, Utilita Giving organised activities across the stadium for supporters to contribute to the donation pot.

Fans received Easter-themed prizes in an egg roulette game, while supporters in premium areas entered a raffle to win Utilita Arena tickets, a signed Brentford shirt and Amazon vouchers amongst other prizes.

At half-time, a game of football bowls between a Brentford and a Brighton fan took place on the pitch to raise even more money.

Bees supporter James walked away with the victory, but together the players added £400 to the fundraising pot by tallying their scores together and generating cash donations from the club and Utilita.

Food donations were also supplemented by Brentford staff throughout the week, who ran a collection point in the club’s offices and organised a collection in a local Morrisons store, with shoppers having an opportunity to take a picture with Buzz.

Sunny Kharbanda, operations manager at Hounslow Community FoodBox, said: “The FoodBox is immensely grateful to have the support of Brentford FC and Utilita Giving, and we would like to thank the fans and local community for donating so generously to help aid our mission to continue supporting residents in crisis in our borough.

"Thank you to everyone involved in the arrangements to make the matchday takeover another success and have a positive impact in our community.”

Keira Meadus from Utilita Giving added: “We are incredibly grateful to Brentford FC for allowing us to be a part of their matchday. There are few better ways to be seen by so many people and raise awareness than through football.

“We have forged some incredibly strong relationships in Brentford thanks to the club, and we continue to reach even more vulnerable people across the area. Thank you again. Together, we are making a real difference.”