Brighton & Hove Albion's Coaching for a Safer Community campaign is a blazing success.

The project targets six to 18-year-olds and uses football to highlight the importance of fire and road safety.

Albion have teamed up with the East and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services to deliver the message inside and outside schools.

The project is already working with 8,000 children - dwarfing the 1,000 initially predicted.
The club's Community Development Manager Darren Teague is stunned by the uptake.

He said: "It is unbelievable how popular this has been. We never thought there would be a response like this.

"The idea was developed about three years ago. We received the Football Foundation funding last year and have been working with the Fire Service since.

"We run courses in and out of school hours. The sessions use football to create awareness of the dangers of fires and roads.

"For example a child kicking a ball can demonstrate the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

"If they don't buckle up and there is a crash then they will go through the windscreen at the same speed as the ball they have struck.

"It is a very vivid image but has a positive impact on the kids."

Local fireman Dave Amiet approached the club after comforting a trapped teenager following a car crash.

The hour of football conversation spawned the idea for Amiet, and now 40 firefighters, four paramedics and six Police Community Support Officers are involved.

Each has achieved a special Level 1 coaching badge that is tailored for the courses.

Teague added: "This idea came from Dave. He is key to the success and we are glad that Albion could help.

"We are so proud to be a partner in this amazing campaign."

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