West Ham fans urged to consider fostering this match day

Hammers fans will be asked to throw their support behind a vulnerable young person when they open their match-day programmes this Sunday.

West Ham United Football Club is backing a call by Newham Council to find people to provide a loving home for a child or teenager unable to live with their own family.

The message - featuring the poignant question “Will you take me to the match?” - has been placed in the programme for West Ham’s match against Reading and it appears during Foster Care Fortnight.

Hammers’ Captain Kevin Nolan said: “If more people can come forward to foster, then it will mean lots more children may have the chance to experience a loving home and get to enjoy a safe and happy life that they deserve.”

Cllr Quintin Peppiatt, executive member for children and young people, said: “If all the children in care in the UK today were brought together, they would fill West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground almost twice over.

“There are many children in Newham who urgently need a stable and positive home environment.”

Foster carers can be from any cultural, ethnic, or religious background, of any marital status, and of any sexual orientation.

For more information on fostering, visit www.newham.gov.uk/fostering or call 0800 013 0393.