An evening with Francis Benali - 19 September 2024

Speakers

Francis Benali     

Event information

We are delighted to announce our charity fundraising event with guest speaker, Francis Benali.

Francis will tell us his story; starting at local youth football and progressing to the English top flight, the banter found within a Premier League dressing room, and then the torturous pain from running 35 marathons in 3 weeks; he will show how almost anything is possible with perseverance, resilience and team work, and we know his stories will captivate, amuse and inspire you all!

Francis ‘Franny’ Benali was born and raised in Southampton and played in nearly 400 games for his hometown club Southampton FC over 20 years.

In recent years he has completed a number of ultra endurance challenges, which culminated in 2019 and has raised £1.4 Million for Cancer Research UK.  As a result of his fundraising efforts he was the first recipient of the Barclays Spirit of the Game award, a Cancer Research UK Flame of Hope Award Winner and the JustGiving Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year.  He was also recognised by Southampton City Council making him a Freemen of the City. In 2019 he became an official Club Ambassador for Southampton FC and was awarded an MBE in the New Year 2020 Honours List.

Francis currently works in the media as a football pundit working with companies such as Sky Sports, BT Sport and the BBC.  He’s also a public speaker delivering inspirational talks to various audiences including corporate, educational and sporting clients.

Tickets cost only £24 (incl VAT) and all profits from the event will go to Mountbatten Hampshire.