West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has made a significant donation to support a number of campaigns close to Hammers’ fans hearts this Christmas.
Mr Sullivan’s personal donation will help those most in need in the local community as we approach the festive season.
Thanks to the Joint-Chairman’s support, the Club will once again be able to back the Crisis at Christmas scheme, which sees the West Ham United Foundation deliver football activity and wellbeing sessions for local homeless people.
Crisis at Christmas is vital for offering some respite over the festive period, with hot food and access to healthcare also among the provisions on offer. The scheme offers companionship and support to tackle loneliness and isolation, helping people to take their first steps out of homelessness.
Thank you to David and everyone at the Club for all the support they give us, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year
Amanda Dubarry Caritas Anchor House CEO
Furthermore, the donation will provide all 200 residents of Caritas Anchor House with meals on Christmas Day.
Caritas Anchor House operates in response to the growing problem of homelessness in Newham, the area with the highest rate of homelessness per capita in the country, with one in 24 people having nowhere to live.
The charity is a 200-bed hostel facility with four houses based in Canning Town providing residential and life-skills support for homeless adults, with a mission to ensure that those who seek their help will grow in confidence and move towards leading independent, self-fulfilling lives, leaving homelessness behind for good.
The charity provides a home for over 250 residents per year, with a holistic support structure that addresses health and wellbeing, financial management, education, volunteering, back-to-work preparation and support to achieve and sustain independent living. Over the last year the charity has provided 278 people a home and support, of whom 49 secured and sustained employment, and 137 moved on from Caritas Anchor House.
“This is such a lovely donation from David Sullivan and West Ham United FC”, said CEO of Caritas Anchor House, Amanda Dubarry. “It will ensure our residents have a Christmas meal on the big day - something which so many of us take for granted as we sit at home with family and friends. Thank you to David and everyone at the Club for all the support they give us, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.”
In addition, through the West Ham United Foundation, Mr Sullivan has made a contribution to HIS Church – an emergency goods distribution charity – allowing the Club to distribute £18,000 worth of food, clothing and toys to those most in need in the local area.
A number of organisations across Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, and Essex will all be receiving support this Christmas.
The Joint-Chairman’s festive support comes on top of the Club’s regular backing of Irons Supporting Foodbanks, a group of West Ham fans who collect at games at London Stadium on behalf of Newham Foodbank in Beckton.
“As usual the support from all levels at the Club and fans has been terrific”, said Irons Supporting Foodbanks founder John Ratomski. “Last year we were able to give out over 8,000 treats to various Newham children's and foodbank groups and we hope to exceed that number this year.
“Mr Sullivan has kindly donated £5,000 towards the appeal and the Club is placing our QR code funding appeals in the corporate lounges.”
At the recent Premier League game against Liverpool at London Stadium, Irons Supporting Foodbanks were joined by sixth formers from Riverside School in Barking to help make the collections and the generous support from Hammers and Reds fans at that game alone meant Newham Foodbank could receive £6,000 worth of food from HIS Church.
Speaking of the Hammers’ fans ongoing generosity, Ratomski said: “We couldn't do what we do without the fans support either, and I thank the various supporter groups for the publicity and fan donations which come our way. Whilst there are a handful of volunteers collecting on matchday from the fans, it is all about the fans who can make the difference, with 60,000 fans visiting the London Stadium every fortnight. You all are Irons supporting foodbanks.”