The West Ham United Foundation is thrilled to announce that its Winter Weekender, presented by Essex Mortgage, held in the scenic Park City Mountains of Utah, USA, raised an impressive $18,613 for its ongoing charitable initiatives.
The event, organised by West Ham United Partner Essex Mortgage and its Founder, Roland Weedon, celebrated the Club’s global fanbase while supporting the Foundation’s important work across east London, Essex, and internationally.
The Winter Weekender brought together West Ham fans from both the UK and the United States, offering them the chance to bond over their shared love of the Club. Fans enjoyed skiing on the ‘Claret and Blue run’ and came together to watch the Hammers secure a thrilling 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League. The event’s atmosphere was electric, and it proved to be a fantastic blend of celebrating the Club’s success and raising vital funds for the Foundation.
Joseph Lyons, CEO of the West Ham United Foundation, expressed his appreciation for the incredible generosity shown by the attendees. He said: “We are beyond grateful for the support we’ve received from everyone involved in the Winter Weekender. The event was a fantastic display of the global reach of West Ham United. It’s incredibly heart-warming to see our supporters come together, not only to celebrate the Club’s success, but also to raise funds that will directly benefit our community programmes and support those who need us most.”
Marlon Harewood, former West Ham striker and Foundation ambassador, was on hand throughout the weekend to spread the word about the Foundation’s impactful work. As an ambassador, Marlon took the opportunity to engage with fans, highlighting the charitable efforts of the Foundation.
One of the key highlights of the weekend was a quiz that tested fans’ knowledge of the Foundation’s work. Supporters learned several interesting stats, including that the West Ham United Foundation supports an impressive 50,000 people annually. This fun and engaging activity served as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of the Foundation’s work, which continues to make a real difference in the lives of individuals across diverse neighbourhoods.
Among the attendees was Tony Goodwin, a dedicated West Ham supporter from Essex, UK, who had travelled to the US with his family to celebrate his son’s 18th birthday. Tony and his family, Season Ticket Holders at London Stadium, were unaware of the Winter Weekender event. While enjoying a dinner locally, they met a fellow West Ham fan wearing a scarf, which led to an invitation to join in.
“It really was the trip of a lifetime, and to be invited to such an incredible event made my son’s 18th birthday so special,” Tony said. “The atmosphere, the camaraderie and the support for the Foundation were perfect. The win on top of everything else made it even better!”
The success of the Winter Weekender was made possible by the passion of the supporters in attendance - including both Huntington Beach and Miami supporters’ groups - and the efforts of Michelle and Roland Weedon, who also founded the Park City Hammers supporters’ group.
Hannah Waldron, Foundation Fundraising Manager, commented: “This event has been a really unique opportunity for us to expand our network and deliver an unforgettable weekend for everybody involved. We are truly thankful to the Weedon family and Essex Mortgage whose passion and commitment in planning and delivering this special Winter Weekender will enable us to deepen our impact.”
To find out more about the West Ham United Foundation, click HERE.
