Christmas appeal achieves target

West Ham season ticket holder, founder of Ambition Aspire Achieve and life president of Community Links Kevin Jenkins OBE has shared some great news with Claret and Hugh this afternoon just days before Christmas.

“I am pleased to be able to let you know that the 43rd Annual Newham Christmas Toy Appeal has this afternoon successfully reached our target of providing a Christmas stocking to open on Christmas morning for each child referred to the appeal this year. 

In total 2,869 will be receiving a Christmas stocking – more children than ever before. 

I will write again after Christmas with full details but in the meantime, thank you for making a difference in this the most difficult of all years for so many children, your support is truly appreciated. 

With every thanks and best wishes for a merry and safe Christmas. 

Kevin Jenkins OBE”

Moore Than Just A Podcast recorded an interview with Kevin on Sunday will be published this evening.

Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA) became the Club’s sixth Official Charity Partner earlier this year.

Based in East Ham, AAA provides activities and experiences for disadvantaged, vulnerable and at-risk young people in Newham and across the east London area, helping build confidence, develop esteem and ambition, the belief to aspire and the skills to achieve – whatever their difficulties and personal backgrounds.

AAA has extensive experience and expertise in working with young people with disabilities, including those with extremely challenging behaviour and additional needs. This work, which is often on a one-to-one basis, is vital and helping to change their lives.

Former West Ham chairman Terence Brown, one of the charity’s patrons, has been hugely supportive, most notably with the opening of The Terence Brown Arc In The Park in Canning Town. The Arc, which is based in the same Hermit Road park where Thames Ironworks FC played 120 years ago, is an adventure play, sports and youth hub running year-round projects.

The project was funded in part by donations from Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, both of whom attended the opening ceremony in April 2017.