West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan is helping to spread Christmas cheer over the festive period by funding a special initiative run by the Club’s Foundation and homeless charity Crisis for the third consecutive year.
Mr Sullivan is personally backing the Crisis at Christmas scheme, which sees our Foundation team working every day, including on Christmas Day, to provide support to the homeless over the holiday period.
The week-long project, which begins today, will see Foundation coaches delivering fun football sessions, as well as kitting participants out head-to-toe in West Ham United kit. Participants will then be invited to a January fixture at London Stadium, where they will meet Mr Sullivan, and have the opportunity to watch a Premier League game.
The Crisis at Christmas initiative offers local homeless people some welcome respite over the holidays, with hot food and access to healthcare also among the provisions on offer.
The Foundation’s football sessions will be concluded with a five-a-side tournament that will see all of the London clubs come together, with the competition being held at Arsenal’s Hub facility at the end of the week.
David Sullivan said: “I am extremely proud to be supporting the Crisis at Christmas initiative once again at this special time of year. It is a cause that has become very close to my heart and I’d like to thank our dedicated Foundation staff for all their hard work over the Christmas period.
“At West Ham United, we greatly value the special relationship we have with our local community. Our first team players have already visited children at the Richard House Hospice and local hospitals in recent weeks, and it is so important that we provide support for those most in need.
“The Crisis at Christmas scheme will make a vital difference to the lives of homeless people who really do need our help, and I look forward to welcoming them all to London Stadium in the New Year.”
With rough sleeping and homelessness on the rise across the country, particularly in London where 8,096 people slept rough in 2015-16 alone – a six per cent rise on 2014-15 – projects like Crisis at Christmas are vital in offering people a place to feel welcome over the festive period.