Our festive campaign, the Magic of Blue, is aimed at helping people in our local communities who experience may be feeling lonely or isolated. It is a subject close to Bright’s heart. 

The defender was a wide-eyed 20-year-old from Derbyshire when she signed for Chelsea over a decade ago now. Bright had spent her formative years in the surrounding area, including in nearby Doncaster, where she took her first steps in the senior women’s game. 

That meant the move to Chelsea, and to London, was a big one for Bright. It brought with it major challenges. 

‘Everyone feels loneliness in different ways, and for me it was the first three years after I came down to Chelsea,’ Millie tells us as she surprised Chelsea Foundation participants as part of the Magic of Blue campaign.  

‘I felt truly lonely. You play with a smile on your face, but that doesn't mean that you're not going through stuff. I was away from my safe space, my people, my circle that allows me to get through things a little bit better. 

‘Once I developed that security in the environment - getting to know my team-mates and people reaching out a little bit more - I started to feel more comfortable. Now Chelsea has become my home, and down south has become my home. 

‘And I do still have days now when I feel lonely, but I find what helps is giving back to people. That takes the loneliness away.’ 

With that mentality in mind, Bright says even the small things can make a huge difference: a quick phone call, a text message, going for a cup of coffee: ‘It goes back to what you can do to help, and then doing that.’  

Our Christmas campaign, The Magic of Blue, is hoping to help tackle loneliness in London and the surrounding areas. Research commissioned by the Greater London Authority found that 700,000 Londoners say they are ‘often or always lonely’, with 15 per cent of over-65s and nine per cent of young people spending Christmas alone according to a study by the Policy Institute at King's College London. 

From 20 November to 13 December, Chelsea Foundation, in partnership with the Chelsea Supporters' Trust, will host Magic of Blue collection points for supporters to donate gifts on upcoming matchdays at both Stamford Bridge and Kingsmeadow. Items including blankets and unisex warm socks/slipper socks (with grip), gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, craft kits, puzzles and crossword books are welcomed. 

A percentage of all sales from the club’s Christmas range at the Stamford Bridge Megastore and through our online store will be donated to the fundraising efforts, with expert charities including Age UK and Shepherd’s Star distributing donated items and funding to support those experiencing loneliness within our communities. Donated gifts will also be shared with the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust’s chosen charities.  

As part of this year’s campaign, Bright surprised participants from Chelsea Foundation’s walking football programme and a project Millie is working on together with Chelsea Foundation to support those with Special Educational Needs. She presented them with their own very special gift, a signed Millie Bright shirt. 

She says it was a ‘really heartwarming’ moment. All who witnessed it would agree. 

For some, such moments are few and far between. Bright knows that while she has always been privileged to have ‘that warm homely feel’ at Christmas time, not everyone is so lucky. It is why she is determined to make a difference this festive period. 

‘People experience loneliness all year round, but when it gets to this time of year it’s even harder,’ Bright says. 

‘Christmas is a family time, a time when you have your people around you celebrating, giving presents, having good food. 

‘I have always had that warm homely feel, and I never take that for granted. At Christmas, I would never want anyone to be lonely, so by being a part of this campaign and giving back - helping the charities to make sure everyone has a place to be and feel like they have a place to be - is super important. 

‘We have an opportunity to make people feel less lonely at Christmas time,’ adds Millie. ‘It’s a time when everyone should be together and stick together, and if we can do our part to make a difference - whether it’s giving food to the food banks, packing up donations, going to the hospitals to visit the children – then we should. 

‘We are in a privileged position as individuals and as a club, and it’s amazing the work we do. We go above and beyond to make sure we’re supporting charities and the wider community all year, not just at Christmas. I’m really proud to be a part of that. It’s so moving because we’re not players in this situation, we’re people.’ 

Learn more about our The Magic of Blue campaign here and you can see our Christmas collection, where a percentage of all sales from range will be donated to fundraising efforts, here.