The three beneficiary charities of Mark Noble's Testimonial cannot wait for the big day
Mark Noble’s Testimonial is not only a huge day for the West Ham United skipper, but also for his three beneficiary charities.
Upon being awarded his Testimonial following nearly 12 years of service to the Hammers first team, Noble decided that the proceeds would go to three charities – the DT38 Foundation, set up in memory of his former teammate Dylan Tombides, Help for Heroes and Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton.
Representatives of the three charities were at Noble’s press day ahead of Monday’s showpiece and spoke of their delight at being involved in the No16’s big occasion.
“It will mean a huge amount for Richard House,” Joel Voysey, the hospice’s Director of Income Generation, said. “Mark has been such a long-standing supporter and it was quite a number of years ago that he first came as part of the player visits over Christmas.
“He obviously got what we were trying to do there, and the help the families were getting from the staff at the hospice.
“Since he’s become a patron he’s looked at ways he can help the hospice even more, and one lovely thing he did was when he got married to Carly instead of asking for wedding gifts, he suggested that people make donations to the hospice.
“That’s the kind of person he is and we were delighted for him at the news of his testimonial, and delighted at the money it will raise for the hospice too.”
Tracylee Tombides, Dylan’s mother and founder of the DT38 Foundation, explained: “We always welcome the opportunity to work with West Ham and the exposure that gives us.
“Mark will have 35,000 people here on the day and hopefully another 35,000 people will then know Dylan’s story and be aware of testicular cancer.
“We were grateful when Mark told us he would be supporting us through his testimonial, but not surprised. Once again it shows Mark's character and thoughtfulness to include us as a Foundation having played and trained alongside Dylan.”
Joanne Morris, of Help for Heroes, said: “Help for Heroes has been a huge part of my life since 2006. The charity helps a lot of people who have been injured in and out of conflict and continues the support that the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Royal Marines need physically as well as mentally.
“It is going to be a huge, huge day and a massive for Help for Heroes. To have Mark supporting us and recognising that we need continuing support is quite humbling.”
Upon being awarded his Testimonial following nearly 12 years of service to the Hammers first team, Noble decided that the proceeds would go to three charities – the DT38 Foundation, set up in memory of his former teammate Dylan Tombides, Help for Heroes and Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton.
Representatives of the three charities were at Noble’s press day ahead of Monday’s showpiece and spoke of their delight at being involved in the No16’s big occasion.
“It will mean a huge amount for Richard House,” Joel Voysey, the hospice’s Director of Income Generation, said. “Mark has been such a long-standing supporter and it was quite a number of years ago that he first came as part of the player visits over Christmas.
“He obviously got what we were trying to do there, and the help the families were getting from the staff at the hospice.
“Since he’s become a patron he’s looked at ways he can help the hospice even more, and one lovely thing he did was when he got married to Carly instead of asking for wedding gifts, he suggested that people make donations to the hospice.
“That’s the kind of person he is and we were delighted for him at the news of his testimonial, and delighted at the money it will raise for the hospice too.”
Tracylee Tombides, Dylan’s mother and founder of the DT38 Foundation, explained: “We always welcome the opportunity to work with West Ham and the exposure that gives us.
“Mark will have 35,000 people here on the day and hopefully another 35,000 people will then know Dylan’s story and be aware of testicular cancer.
“We were grateful when Mark told us he would be supporting us through his testimonial, but not surprised. Once again it shows Mark's character and thoughtfulness to include us as a Foundation having played and trained alongside Dylan.”
Joanne Morris, of Help for Heroes, said: “Help for Heroes has been a huge part of my life since 2006. The charity helps a lot of people who have been injured in and out of conflict and continues the support that the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Royal Marines need physically as well as mentally.
“It is going to be a huge, huge day and a massive for Help for Heroes. To have Mark supporting us and recognising that we need continuing support is quite humbling.”