West Ham United are proud to confirm that the Premier League match against Crystal Palace at London Stadium on Saturday will be dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Richard House Children’s Hospice.
Richard House, in Beckton, East London, provides care and support to children and young people who are at risk of death because of a life-limiting or complex health condition. Services are free to families, with the majority of their funding coming from voluntary donations. This year the charity needs to raise £2 million to continue providing its support for the children of east London.
West Ham United captain Mark Noble is a Patron of the hospice and has supported it for many years, having lived just a few streets away as a child. He said: “The Richard House Children’s Hospice is a charity very close to my heart, and the respect and admiration I have for the work they do to help seriously ill children in east London has just grown and grown over the years.
“It makes me extremely proud that West Ham do everything we possibly can to support the charity and it is fantastic that we are able to dedicate Saturday’s game for their benefit. I’d urge all West Ham supporters to give whatever they can afford to help Richard House this weekend. Any donation will be gratefully accepted and go towards making a huge difference.”
West Ham United players will be wearing t-shirts supporting the charity and encouraging donations as they warm up on Saturday, and there will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about the hospice and donate via text message throughout the match.
Two young children who use the services of the hospice have been invited to be team mascots on the day, and will walk out to the pitch with the Hammers stars.
Peter Ellis, chief executive of Richard House says: “West Ham are long-standing supporters of Richard House, and our Patron Mark Noble and the team visit families at the hospice regularly. We are delighted by the support offered by the club for this match and we ask that supporters dig deep as every penny raised will make a big difference to families.”
There are plenty of ways to support Richard House. You can donate £5 to Richard House by texting RHCH02 £5 to 70070, or take part in a Swimathon event next month at the London Aquatics Centre next door to London Stadium. Find out more at www.richardhouse.org.uk/event/swimathon2017