West Ham United Academy coach Mark Phillips has expressed his gratitude towards the Claret and Blue Army after Hammers fans from far and wide came together to raise thousands of pounds for deserving charities.
Phillips joined a group including former Irons goalkeeper Jimmy Walker and Neil Taylor, co-founder of the Hammers for Work and Support Group – which provides support and employment for their fellow Hammers and their families across east London and beyond – in tackling the formidable Three Peaks Challenge last weekend.
The challenge saw the group climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – covering over 23 miles of trails with 3,064 meters of vertical ascent, all while navigating 450 miles of driving between the peaks.
Faced with such a daunting physical task, Phillips explained how the camaraderie of his fellow Hammers got everyone to the finishing line.
“It was much, much tougher than I anticipated,” Phillips admitted, “ Until you’ve actually done it, you don’t realise how hard it is. But we got through it, we all did it, and it was good.
“Everyone involved has got some sort of West Ham connection – me working for the Club, Jimmy Walker as an ex-player – and he was brilliant. He kept saying to me, ‘What have you got me in to’, but he knuckled down and got it done!
“We had some laughs and some banter, which was good – and we had a lot of people not in our group, doing the climb themselves, shouting out ‘Come on you Irons’ to us. There were people encouraging us, which was great.
“We’re all really, really grateful for the West Ham fans who have contributed money – it’s nearly £25,000 we’ve raised and that kept us going on the last couple of mountains, if I’m honest.
“There are a lot of charities who are going to benefit from it and that’s what it’s all about.“
With a sum already approaching £25,000 raised to support a number of charities chosen by the Hammers taking part, there is still time to donate to these fantastic causes.
For more information or to donate, please visit the group’s GoFundMe page here.
