THE ROBERT EATON MEMORIAL FUND AND THE A23 DERBY

The Robert Eaton Memorial Fund was formed following the devastating attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11th 2001. Eaton was a Brighton supporter and was one of 3,000 innocent people caught up in the unprovoked and cowardly attacks that day. Since its inception, the annual REMF game was born – a challenge match between Brighton and Crystal Palace supporters – putting rivalries aside to raise funds to help fund a junior football club in the US. Robert Eaton, 37, died while working for stockbroking firm Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower.

Since 2001, the REMF has supported charities closer to home as well as in the US, including Palace for Life, with a recent donation of £8,000 to help support projects delivered in south London. The Fund was set up to raise money for underprivileged children in the UK and overseas, and has raised almost £300,000 in the past 20 years. Despite moving to America, he never lost his love for the Seagulls and soon after his death fellow fans set up a memorial fund.

The Robert Eaton Memorial Fund holds an annual football match between rivals Albion

and Crystal Palace supporters and a number of other fundraising events. Of course, today the two clubs meet in the Premier League at Selhurst Park.

One such project is the Down's Syndrome Football Team-– also known as the DS Eagles, who last week during their annual Christmas party, were gifted their brand-new kit, funded by the REMF’s generous donation. 

The new kit, designed in a rich and sophisticated dark blue with a red trim by the shoulders features the Palace for Life logo on the front and ’21 – DS Eagles’ on the back. The number 21 is significant in the Down’s Syndrome community as people with Down’s Syndrome are born with three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the usual two copies. As part of the kit, our DS players will also wear odd socks, to pay homage to the World's Down's Syndrome Day Tradition, which takes place on the 21st March every year.Ben Perryman, the DS Eagles coach said: “I would like to thank REMF for giving us the opportunity to create a unique football kit for our DS Eagles. The kit was designed to highlight our unique players with each player having number 21 on the back. The number 21 in the Down’s Syndrome community is very important as in signifies the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down’s Syndrome.”The DS Eagles sporting their new kit, funded by The REMF The new kit wasn’t only the surprise that day, our team were also visited by Santa, who helped hand out the new kits and played with them in their final training session of the year. Ben continued: “The Christmas party was a great way to celebrate the end of the year especially because they were joined by a very important VIP in Santa Claus. All the players have improved so much and are are really starting to play like a team now.”The DS Eagles were visited by Santa in their final training session of the year 

Valerie, mother of the DS Eagles star-striker Ruari said: “A big thank you to Palace for Life for all the support and opportunities it gives our children. Ruairi thoroughly enjoyed his evening and was thrilled with the new football top which is so sporty and stylish and shows the players' true identity.”