Patrons

Mark Bright

Patron

Ben Bailey Smith

Patron

Multi-talented creative Ben Bailey Smith, AKA Doc Brown, has been an avid Palace fan all of his life. Ben created and starred in the launch video for Palace for Life’s new fundraising campaign ‘Made in South London’, the Foundation’s new fundraising campaign to raise £1million to help transform the lives of young south Londoners. He was also the mastermind behind Crystal Palace’s unofficial FA Cup song ‘Glad All Over Again’ when Palace met Manchester United in the FA Cup final in 2016.

Steve Reed MP

Patron

Steve Reed is the Labour and Co-operative MP for Croydon North. He was first elected to Parliament in a by-election on 29 November 2012 and was re-elected in the general elections of May 2015, June 2017, and December 2019. Reed is a former leader of Lambeth Council, where he introduced the Living Wage, invested in better council housing, built six new schools, was the first council leader to introduce a ‘public health’ approach to cut violent youth crime, and led Lambeth’s services for vulnerable children from worst-rated in the country to best rated in every single category. Reed has been a vocal supporter of the Foundation’s work for a number of years, attending events in the community and meeting young people aspiring to get into work or training.

Stephen Browett

Patron

Crystal Palace shareholder and chairman of Farr Vintners, the world’s leading fine wine wholesaler, Stephen Browett, is keen to get more closely involved with the Foundation’s work in the community that he grew up in.

“As a local boy and a Palace fan for 50 years, I’m extremely proud of our Club’s role in the South London community.

“I’m proud to become an Honorary Patron of Palace for Life. I’ve closely followed the Foundation over the past eight years and seen its impact on local youngsters, many of whom have had the toughest of starts in life. I look forward to sharing their journey in the future.”

Andrew Johnson

Patron

Andrew scored 85 goals in 161 appearances for Crystal Palace during his career and has twice led the Palace for Life Foundation Marathon March, as well as taking part in the annual Play at Palace match.

He said: “Crystal Palace FC is very close to my heart and I have been working with the Palace for Life Foundation for a while now, so I’m really pleased to become an Honorary Patron.

“Football is such a powerful tool to engage young people who need some extra help in life. I look forward to supporting the Foundation as they continue their great work in the community.”

Chuka Umunna

Patron

“I’ve seen first-hand the excellent work that the Palace for Life Foundation does. They are making a real difference to young people across south London, particularly the most hard-to-reach and hard-to-help, by engaging them though football.

“I look forward to working closely with the Foundation, to help them build strong connections with the local community and business in order to equip young people with the skills they need for their future.”

Susanna Reid

Patron

Host of ITV’s Good Morning Britain and prominent Eagles fan, broadcast journalist Susanna said: “It’s a huge honour for me to become an Honorary Patron of the Palace for Life Foundation. The Foundation does great things for young people in south London and I’m proud to support that work.”

Eddie Izzard

Patron

World renowned stand-up comedian, actor and writer Eddie has followed the Club since the 1960s: “As a kid, my brother and I used to often go and visit our auntie Bea – our Mum’s older sister who lived on Whitehorse Lane, just opposite the Crystal Palace stadium. From there our uncle took us first to watch Palace play in 1969, when we had reached the First Division.

“So it’s now a great thing to be asked to be a Patron of the Palace for Life Foundation, an organisation that can help kids growing up in the area. I’m very happy to try and help.”