Former Hammer and West Ham United Foundation ambassador Marlon Harewood is preparing to take on the renowned Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday in behalf of the Club’s official charity, while the players prepare for their final home game of the season.
Together with Barrington Atkins and Peter Toole, two other Foundation supporters, Harewood will take on the challenge of ascending the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales in a single day. This will involve driving 450 miles between peaks and covering a distance of over 23 miles and 3,064 metres of vertical ascent.
The leader is Harewood, a former Hammer who is now a businessman. With a strong passion for football and a commitment to creating positive opportunities for youth, Marlon plays a vital role as an ambassador for the WHU Foundation. Marlon is eager to push himself to the limit while collecting vital donations for the Foundation’s community programmes, which he will be sharing on social media. “I know first-hand the life-changing difference that can be made by the funds raised through these types of activities”
Speaking on behalf of the larger West Ham United Family and as a longstanding ambassador of the Foundation, he said: “It’s fantastic to be able to get involved in such a big challenge raising money for the community, supporting those who need it most.” Marlon’s close friend and well-known sports litigation partner at JMW Solicitors, Barrington Atkins, contributes his enthusiasm for social mobility to the group. In addition to being an ambassador for the Foundation, he is committed to motivating and giving students access to opportunities in the corporate world.
In contrast, Peter Toole, the patron corporate partner of the WHU Foundation, takes comfort in going on outdoor activities with his family and two well-behaved dogs. He oversees a group of client relationship directors at Paragon. Peter, who has a reputation for enjoying challenges, jumped at the chance to take part in the Three Peaks Challenge. He was excited about the teamwork required to complete the assignment in the allotted 24 hours.
They are unwavering in their resolve to use football’s ability to promote constructive social change, even in the face of an arduous route ahead. Their drive comes from wanting to help the Foundation with its important work and use this difficult challenge to actually make a difference. “I have personally witnessed the transformative impact that can be achieved through the funds raised through these kinds of events,” Harewood stressed. “When the Three Peaks Challenge was brought up, I felt inspired to rally a group and take on this challenge.”
They bring the backing of the West Ham United community and the understanding that each step they take will get them closer to their objective of raising vital funds for the Foundation’s programmes as they take on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon.