Signature at Hendon Hall, a luxury care home in northwest London, recently welcomed a special delegation from Hendon FC, turning an ordinary day into a football fan’s dream.
The highlight of the event was the guests’ announcement of the care home’s belated UEFA European Football Championships 2024 sweepstake winner, drawing in the home’s enthusiastic residents to join the festivities.
The sweepstake’s lucky winners, Hendon Hall residents Renee Clark and Eileen Needleman, were presented with Hendon FC merchandise, including T-shirts and mugs.
Adding to the event’s charm were talks from key members of the Hendon FC management team. Chairman Cyrus Cooper, Boardroom Hospitality Lead Jo Cooper, Manager Lee Allinson, General Manager Ian Allinson, and club player and legend Dave Diedhiou captivated residents with stories of the club’s celebrated history and its impactful community initiatives.
This event was of special significance to Ian Allinson, who has previously played football for teams such as Arsenal and Colchester United, as he also works in a Compassionate Neighbours Scheme via a local Hospice, conducting exercise sessions, promoting health and well-being among residents.
Allinson discussed some of the charity work he is involved in during his visit to Hendon Hall, while Dave Diedhiou, a current midfield/defender for the club, shared his background, including his journey from Senegal.
John Marshall, a resident with a keen interest in Hendon FC, was especially engaged and posed some thought-provoking questions, particularly on the relationship between head injuries and dementia. This encouraged a meaningful discussion amongst residents and the Hendon FC team on their experiences with dementia, adding a new layer of depth to the visit.
Cyrus Cooper, the Chairman of Hendon FC, shared:
“We were so happy to speak at the home, and we are hoping this is the start to a long-lasting partnership. We all had a wonderful time chatting to residents, sharing stories, and giving out some shirts and mugs to the winners of the Euro sweepstake. We hope they will be worn with pride!”
