West Ham United men’s and women’s first-team players visited Saint Francis Hospice, spreading some festive cheer to patients and their loved ones as part of the Club’s Players’ Project.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Riko Ueki, Wes Foderingham, Manuela Paví, Crysencio Summerville, Emma Harries, Łukasz Fabiański and Viviane Asseyi visited the hospice to hand out Christmas presents, take selfies, sign gifts and spend time talking to patients, a lot of whom are Hammers fans.
The hospice provides specialist care for people who are suffering from life-limiting conditions in Havering, Brentwood, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge or West Essex, as well as experienced, compassionate advice and support.
Christmas can be a difficult period of year for a lot of people, and football provides an escape in those dark times - and Foderingham recognised the importance of the players showing their support, and putting smiles on people’s faces.
“People here [at the hospice] are obviously experiencing a difficult moment in their lives, unfortunately some of them won’t make it to next Christmas, so I think it’s important to come here and show our support,” said the goalkeeper.
“Patients have spoken to us about their journeys and the struggles they’ve endured but they seem in great spirits, which is testament to them and the staff here as well.
“It’s a really special time of year and there’s going to be a lot of emotions involved. The patients just want their families around them for Christmas.
“It was great to see them and you could see how happy they were to see us.”
A member of staff Foderingham hailed in particular was Andy Furneaux, Senior Engagement Officer at the hospice, who has worked there for more than 12 years, and was incredibly appreciative of the players’ visit.
“The fact the players took the time out to come and meet these patients means everything to us at the hospice, and we’re very, very grateful for the support West Ham United have given us,” he said.
“Saint Francis Hospice is so very dear to this community. A lot of the patients that the players met will be experiencing their last Christmas this year. A lot of people come to us for pain management and when that’s under control, they go home. But some of the patients won’t be going home.
“[The players visiting] is a huge pick-me-up for a lot of people. People are struggling, some of them are in very turbulent times in their lives, and this is a huge lift. A lot of the people here are pure West Ham fans, so it means everything to them.
“These have been special moments, it’s a really special day for us.”
Harries was also incredibly impressed with the work of the staff at the hospice in what she described as a ‘heartwarming’ experience.
“I think what this hospice does for people is just incredible,” she said. “The staff, the parents and how they support their loved ones is incredible, so it’s been a really lovely day.
“As a footballer, sometimes you take things for granted. We represent this Club as best as we can, but ultimately it’s the fans who make the Club so special. There are some really passionate fans in here [the hospice] which is lovely to see.
“If we could make a change or a difference to somebody’s life, even if it’s just for five minutes, then it’s well worth it.”
Furneaux admitted that because the hospice is open every day of the year, the support they receive covers around a third of the running costs, and the ‘need to fundraise will never go away’.
For more information on Saint Francis Hospice and how you can volunteer or support, click HERE.
