Since West Ham United was formed in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC, much has changed, but the Club’s values have remained the same. This is a Club for honest, hardworking people. A Club that belongs to east London.
One of the most culturally diverse areas of the capital, there’s a richness that comes from the togetherness shown in every corner of east London. It’s part of the fabric of our Club. Of course, we celebrate flair and talent, but we fall in love with the grafters, those who combine hard work and skill.
It’s not just the Claret and Blue that binds us. It’s the values we wear and the people we represent. We are United by More.
To celebrate our 2025/26 Home Kit, we invited supporters from across our fanbase, representing different generations, backgrounds, and experiences, to be part of our launch shoot. Among them were West Ham fans from R;pple Suicide Prevention, one of the West Ham United’s charity partners.
Partnered with West Ham United since October 2022, when its technology was introduced across the Club, R;pple Suicide Prevention is a charity set up by lifelong Hammers fan Alice Hendy MBE, in memory of her brother Josh who took his own life aged just 21.
Discovering that Josh had been researching techniques to take his own life, Alice made it her life’s mission to prevent other families from experiencing the effects of suicide by developing a browser extension designed to intercept internet searches relating to self-harm and suicide.
Since then, Alice has expanded R;pple's suicide prevention resources to now serve over 49 countries around the world, in 14 different languages. The tool has been downloaded by almost 2 million users, intercepting well over 100,000 harmful searches and has saved 32 lives.
On World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, we hear of the invaluable, life-saving work being done by R;pple to prevent people taking their own lives.
“I have so many happy memories at West Ham with my brother”
Alice and Josh were united by their love of West Ham. Before his passing in May 2021, the pair would regularly attend matches together at the Boleyn Ground and later at London Stadium.
Alice recalled: “When I moved to London in my early 20s, I lived in a house share on Green Street. So I was really close to the Boleyn Ground and I would save all of my money over the week so that I could buy a ticket for myself to the game. And really, ever since I went there from the first game, I've just always followed them. My brother Josh also loved West Ham and would come up and visit me. I took him to a lot of games and we have so many happy memories from that time.
“My connection has only got stronger really with West Ham and the West Ham Foundation in particular over the last few years because of the kindness and support and the genuine nature of the staff and the Club in what they've been doing for R;pple and supporting me when I lost my brother. I feel like they've been there for me since day one.
“They've stepped up and shown an interest in what I'm doing to remember my brother and create a bit of a legacy for him. They've got behind all of the work that I do outside of football to support people with their mental health.
“So from that perspective, I don't think I could have asked for more support from a football club if I tried, to be honest. That means a lot to me.”
“Everyone feels part of something with West Ham”
A childhood friend of Alice and Josh, Lucas was also bitten by the West Ham bug from an early age. He believes the matchday experience captures what makes the Club so special.
He said: “Once you start going to the games and experience the general community of West Ham, you're not going to beat it.
“I think pre-match, whether you're at the Boleyn Tavern or the Carpenters Arms or walking through Stratford Town Centre, I don't think you're going to beat that feeling at any club in the Premier League. I think the whole community of West Ham, like the east London community, everyone's so friendly and respectful. It feels very old school.
“I think the fans always stick by West Ham. Everyone trusts in the process. Everyone feels part of something with West Ham.
“Even when you go abroad and they have the New York Hammers, the Polish Hammers, the Ghanaian Hammers, it's a big global community. And I think everyone's just so loyal to the claret and blue, which I find just lovely.”
On World Suicide Prevention Day, West Ham United is proud to stand alongside Alice, R;pple, and everyone who continues to raise awareness and support for those impacted by suicide. Together, we are United by More.
The 2025/26 West Ham United Home Kit is available to purchase online and in store now.
