Supporters of Brighton & Hove Albion have finished a charity walk covering 23 miles in Normandy. The event was held to remember veterans of the D-Day landings and to collect donations for Blind Veterans UK. Over 45 fans from Brighton and Portsmouth Football Club participated, and the group included five veterans who are blind.

The participants left Portsmouth on a Thursday evening, after Brighton's match in the Europa Conference League ended in a tie. They reached Ouistreham close to Sword Beach on Friday morning. Their route went by Pegasus Bridge, Ver-sur-Mer, and the British Normandy Memorial. The organizer, Steve Darby, described the area as a place that stirs deep feelings.

Darby explained the aim was to honor both those who lost their lives and those who returned with injuries like vision loss. The British Normandy Memorial lists the names of many individuals who died during the D-Day operations and the subsequent Battle of Normandy. A plaque will be placed at the memorial by the group.

The significance of the number five

Having five blind veterans take part was a symbolic act, remembering a matching number from the landings eight decades prior. This linked the historical event with current efforts to aid former service members with sight loss.

Charity and community impact

Money raised will go to Blind Veterans UK, a charity with a local center in Rustington that assists veterans who have lost their vision. The walkers finished their journey and traveled back on Sunday.

This community project coincides with the Brighton first team's preparation for an important league game. The side, managed by Roberto De Zerbi, is positioned near the top of the table and will play Liverpool away. They have not lost in their recent matches in all tournaments. Following that, they have a match at home against Tottenham Hotspur. The team currently sits third in the Premier League with 16 points from seven games, having recorded five wins, one draw, and one loss. Their recent form of four wins and a draw in the last five matches, including a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace and a 3-0 win against Arsenal, has them just five points behind the leaders. Their most recent result was a 0-0 draw with FK Jablonec on Thursday 22 October. Top scorer Charalampos Kostoulas, with three goals this season, was on the scoresheet in the win over Palace. The squad now turns its focus to the next fixture away to Liverpool on Sunday 25 October.

The report in full is at bbc.com