SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Downton & Ali Associates

An avid DFC fan for two decades, Brian Downton is the owner and founder of Downton & Ali, a much-valued sponsor of the club over the past seven seasons. Here we talk to him about his charity work and connection to the club.

After setting up a successful financial wealth and advisory business, Brian Downton has gone the extra yard to give back to the communities he works and lives in.

What began as a way to get healthier and lose weight, has now become his passion, with marathons, triathlons and ironman competitions among the events completed to raise valuable funds for hundreds of charities and causes.

Brian is a trustee for Holding on Letting Go, a charity that supports children who need bereavement advice in Kent and SE London. His firm is also part of The Openwork partnership and their foundation provides grants of up to £15k to local charities close to the hearts of its members. All the money he raises is split between the two, with Brian involved in raising millions and over £100k solely from his own endeavours.

He said: “I’ve been doing these mad events for probably about 10 to 15 years but I’ve been in the Openwork network longer.

“I gave up smoking about 20 years ago and put on loads of weight. And I started cycling just to try and lose some and then I got into the triathlon and ironman and it kind of drew me in.

“We do an overseas ride every year. We normally raise about £100k between 20 to 30 of us. We’ve been all over the world. I’ve completed Ride London six or seven times and a marathon. I’m taking part in my third Ironman next year. In November, we are off to Sri Lanka to ride 500km in six days.

“The Openwork Partnership Foundation supports vulnerable children and adults in the UK and overseas. The network raises up to £1million a year including match funding from the Partnership which is a fantastic achievement.”

Brian hosts an annual ball, that raises around £10k every year as part of his fundraising.

“I learned very early on that you can only ask people so many times for sponsorship money, so this has been a successful way of doing my bit!” he continued.

Brian’s love affair with DFC began around 2004, although he started sponsoring the club seven seasons ago.

He added: “I began sponsoring the club after one of the networking events that were being held upstairs.

“I love the community aspect of the club, it’s what drew me in originally and keeps me going back season after season.

“I like the look of the team Ady has put together. It’s a hard task getting them to gel so quickly, but there are positive signs already and we played very well against Chatham, which bodes well for the season.

“I go to most of the home games and the odd away game and I’m going to get to a few more of the women’s games this season, too.”

For financial advice, contact Downton & Ali on 02030210075 or at www.downtonandali.co.uk.

For any fans that would like to show their support, they can sponsor him on his next cycle tour of Sri Lanka that takes place in November by going to https://bit.ly/sponsorbriandownton2024

For anyone who would like a table at Downton & Ali Associates Annual Ball, it is being held on Friday, 6 September at Dartford FC. A table of 10 costs £450 or single tickets are £50 and includes a three-course meal, entertainment, DJ, raffle and auction. Contact Brian for more details at brian@downtonandali.co.uk

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