Community Captain armband donned by decade-long fundraiser
Saints Foundation ambassador Franny Benali surprised Saints’ new ‘Community Captain’ with the accolade.
One of the sky-high cranes that line the city’s docks was the setting for this unconventional presentation, which saw DP World docker Phil Dunn recognised by Saints Foundation for his contribution to their work.
A Southampton man and Saints fan, Phil has taken on ten years of gruelling Big Bike Challenges, cycling thousands of miles in every corner of the country, and raising thousands of pounds in the process. For this year’s challenge Phil has been named one of our ride ‘captains’, leading the pack on the long road up north to Elland Road in early May – making this award all the more fitting.
In 2023, Phil undertook a different kind of challenge, swapping a bike for hiking books for the first ever Benali On Tour. It was on the slopes of the Seven Sisters that his path crossed with our ambassador Franny, who kindly agreed to award Phil with his Community Captain armband earlier this week.
Pictured: Phil and Franny photographed with DP World Southampton's Mark Hooper and Suzanne Cudd.
Phil’s employer DP World – one of our valued Saints Foundation corporate patrons – helped us keep the presentation a tightly kept secret until Franny dropped in on his shift. Franny then joined Phil up a crane to take in the incredible views of the city they both call home, and even enjoy a taster of what driving a crane is like!
Pictured: Franny Benali gets a taster of operating a crane at DP World Southampton
We’re hugely grateful to Phil for the past decade of incredible fundraising and look forward to seeing him don the armband as he leads our Big Bike Challenge riders to Leeds later this season.
Clubs have been naming their Community Captains as part of the Premier League’s More Than A Game campaign, which celebrates football’s investment in communities across England and Wales.
Saints Foundation continues to receive life-changing funding from the Premier League Charitable Fund to deliver projects including Primary Stars, Inspires and Kicks.
