West Ham United is delighted to be working alongside the Club’s charity partner, Romford-based Saint Francis Hospice...
At Saint Francis Hospice our corporate partnerships are incredibly important as they allow us to engage with local businesses, their employees, families and friends.
These relationships also bring in much-needed funds to the Hospice, both as fundraising or as gift in kind donations. The other benefit is that they help us raise awareness of our cause, remind people that we’re a charity, that we’re here to help our local communities, and that we offer our support free of charge.
Our newest, high-profile relationship is with West Ham United Football Club. We were delighted to be named one of the seven charity partners chosen by West Ham. Each of the Club's chosen charities reaches out to a different scope of people, communities or beneficiaries.
Committed to awareness
Saint Francis Hospice CEO Pam Court said: “As the only adult hospice chosen, we’re excited to use this partnership to promote just what we can offer to our local communities. It’s an amazing opportunity to show people that we do so much more than many realise.
“Many of our patients, their families, and our supporters are West Ham fans so it’s wonderful to have this backing from our largest local football club.”
Joe Lyons, West Ham United Foundation’s CEO, said: “At West Ham we are committed to raising awareness of local organisations making a difference to our community. This, together with the strong West Ham connection at Saint Francis Hospice, makes our new charity partnership the perfect fit.”
With Sir Trevor Brooking as a huge supporter and Patron of our charity, and as a West Ham legend, Saint Francis Hospice is looking forward to working together to help raise awareness and much-needed funds for our charity through this partnership.
Local legend and fundraiser
There is a little bit of history between our Hospice and West Ham United.
West Ham will never forget the late Paul Freedman – a Hammers fanatic, fundraising legend and celebrated marathon runner who had trained alongside Sam Allardyce’s squad.
Paul quickly became a local and national celebrity after he took up running at 61 and ran his first London Marathon aged 69 – hitting the headlines in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 when he was the oldest official runner.
A member of Havering 90 Joggers, Paul went on to complete 24 marathons, 18 of which were to support Saint Francis Hospice.
Paul was also a volunteer on the inpatient unit and on Christmas Day would visit the Hospice and serve Christmas dinner. When the eating was over, he would go back around telling jokes, entertaining patients and visitors.
Paul died peacefully, aged 92, in February 2017 after losing his battle with cancer. His memory lives on at Saint Francis Hospice.
We need your support
This year is the 35th anniversary of Saint Francis Hospice. Please consider donating £35, giving 35 hours of your time or donating 35 items to support our work in Havering, Brentwood, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and West Essex.
Visit www.sfh.org.uk to find out more about our work.