Last week, the West Ham United Foundation joined forces with Paragon to host its highly anticipated annual Golf Day and Dinner fundraiser at the Stock Brook Manor Country Club in Billericay.
As the official charity of the Club, this event holds immense significance, serving as its premier fundraising initiative of the year.
Once again, the event surpassed all expectations, not only in terms of its resounding success but also in the remarkable impact it will undoubtedly have on the community.
With an impressive total of £60,000 raised – doubling their total from last year – the Foundation is poised to continue its life-changing work across east London and Essex, transforming thousands of lives along the way.
"Days like these are invaluable for us," stated West Ham United Foundation (WHUF) CEO Joseph Lyons. "We reach over 50,000 people each year through our work, but we recognise the immense potential to extend our reach further. We are determined to grow our network, and the support we receive plays a pivotal role in making that vision a reality.
"The funds raised at this event are absolutely crucial. While a significant portion of our funding comes from the NHS and other statutory funders, as a charity constantly striving to expand our services, the contributions from tonight's generous donors at the Golf Day and Dinner are indispensable."
The day commenced with groups teeing off in fourballs, accompanied by the presence of some distinguished West Ham United legends and volunteer PGA professionals – and avid West Ham supporters – James Wood and Matt Cousens. Among the players taking part to have proudly sported West Ham’s famous Claret and Dlue were Brian 'Stag' Dear, Geoff Pike, James Collins, Jimmy Walker, John Moncur, Keith Robson, Matthew Etherington, Steve Jones, Stuart Slater and Tony Gale.
“The West Ham United Foundation is a fantastic charity,” Walker remarked. “I’ve been involved with them for a few years now and what they’re doing is excellent. The causes are great, they help so many people each year, so I'm delighted to be out here and helping in any way possible.”
The event further enhanced the charitable experience through sponsored holes, which not only provided an exciting platform for friendly competition but also served as opportunities for additional fundraising.
Thanks to cutting-edge technology supplied by James Wood and FlightScope, as well as backing from AMOS Properties, golfers attempted the 'Straightest Drive' challenge on the first tee.
The 'Closest to the Pin' title was proudly supported by Umbro, while the quest for the 'Longest Drive' was sponsored by Paragon. Amidst it all, participants were offered the opportunity to test their skills against the expertise of pro golfer, Cousens, in the 'Beat the Pro' challenge, sponsored by UFL.
As the sun set on a beautiful day out on the course, both the golfers and dinner attendees made their way to the ballroom to indulge in a delicious three-course meal. Following on from the meal, guests were then treated to a West Ham themed Q&A with Gale, Collins and Etherington.
"It has truly been a phenomenal day dedicated to raising funds for an incredible cause," exclaimed Gale. "Often, people associate football clubs solely with the first team, tactics, and results. But when you break it down, by using football to keep kids off the streets, fostering education, and making a positive impact, you accomplish so many remarkable things. It’s been great to see all these generous donations today."
Bringing the event to its grand finale, the highly anticipated auction took centre stage. Back by popular demand following hosting duties last year, West Ham United Women’s charismatic assistant manager Jimmy Walker took on the role of auctioneer.
The auction showcased an array of coveted items, including a signed England shirt from none other than West Ham United captain Declan Rice, London Stadium and O2 Arena hospitality tickets as well as an assortment of other sport memorabilia.
The bidding frenzy ignited an electrifying atmosphere, with attendees eagerly vying for the prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement to a great occasion for the Foundation.
“This is our second year supporting the Foundation’s Golf Day and Dinner event,” said Paragon Customer Communications CEO Dave Reynolds. “We’re really pleased to be supporting their work and deeply value this partnership. The work they’re doing around east London and Essex is nothing short of remarkable, making an incredible lasting impact on so many lives in the community.”
To register interest in future Foundation events, make sure to contact West Ham United Foundation's Fundraising Manager Hannah Waldron at [email protected].
