Andy Devaney
It was an emotional evening at the London Stadium as West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen stepped off the pitch after the Brentford match to present one of the club’s own with a moment he’ll never forget. Lifelong Hammers fan David Foster, 61, was handed the 2025 JustGiving Outstanding Commitment Award by Bowen himself—an honour that carried far more weight than silverware ever could.
Foster, who now lives in Finchley, North London, walked 140 miles along Cornwall’s southern coast—from Land’s End to Looe—raising more than £12,000 for Rape Crisis England & Wales in memory of his late daughter, Emily. It was a feat of endurance born out of love, grief, and the unbreakable spirit that runs through every true supporter wearing claret and blue.
A Family Bound by West Ham and Memory
Football isn’t just a pastime for the Fosters—it’s a bloodline. David’s grandfather was in the stands at West Ham’s first FA Cup final in 1923, the historic match that christened Wembley.
Growing up in Ilford, David inherited both the East End grit and the Irons loyalty that define generations of supporters. Even the family’s roots nod to their club: David and his wife Helen named their third daughter Kat after Katherine Road, near Upton Park.
But it was Emily who truly shared her dad’s passion for West Ham. Often at his side in the stands, she was as fierce in support as she was gifted in life—a talented pianist, avid reader, and keen walker with degrees from Oxford and Oxford Brookes. She dedicated her career to helping others as an Educational Mental Health Practitioner in Cornwall.
Tragically, Emily’s life was marked by trauma. A survivor of sexual violence, she faced years of anxiety and hospital treatment, battling with extraordinary courage to rebuild her independence. But in February 2024, at just 26, the weight of it all became too heavy, and she took her own life.
Turning Grief Into Purpose
Determined to finish what Emily had planned—to hike the Cornish coast—David took on the same 140-mile route himself the following May. Each mile became a tribute, every step a message that his daughter’s spirit hadn’t faded. “Winning was a huge surprise,” David said. “But I do passionately believe in the cause, and if it means that Emily’s story reaches more people and does some good then that’s brilliant.
“Emily has been at the heart of this whole experience, from start to finish, and it’s definitely something that my family and I will treasure forever.”
The surprise of the award began at home. West Ham legend Martin Allen—“Mad Dog” to those who remember his fierce midfield days—appeared at David’s window to break the news. In classic Allen fashion, there were laughs, tears, and disbelief before the invitation arrived: a VIP day at the London Stadium to watch the Irons take on Brentford.
A Moment Money Can’t Buy
After a three-course meal and the roar of a matchday under the lights, the final whistle blew—and out came Jarrod Bowen, smiling as he handed David his award. The England international posed for photos with the Foster family and shared in a moment of genuine connection—one footballer to another, only separated by a few blades of grass and a lifetime of memories.
David recalled: “I think I was in the car when I heard about the nomination. I thought it was great, but I knew there’d be loads of finalists, so I didn’t really think much of it. Then for him [Allen] to tell me that I’d won a 2025 JustGiving Award was just super special, and quite emotional, and the experience at London Stadium was amazing, too.”
A Worthy Winner
The Outstanding Commitment Award celebrates those who go above and beyond for causes close to their hearts. This year, David was selected from over 18,000 public nominations and four other finalists, earning his title through a public vote.
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving, said: “Over the past 25 years, more than £7 billion has been raised for good causes by millions of incredible fundraisers on JustGiving. The Awards are our way of shining a light on those remarkable individuals whose courage, compassion and commitment inspire us all.
“David’s powerful mission to honour the memory of his daughter Emily by raising crucial funds and awareness for victims of sexual abuse captured the hearts of many. We hope his time with the West Ham team was an experience he’ll remember forever.”
For a man who has spent his life cheering from the terraces, this time the club cheered back—and none louder than Jarrod Bowen, the perfect ambassador for a team built on loyalty, heart, and a sense of home.
Learn More
Visit JustGiving Awards for more stories of extraordinary fundraisers. Support David’s campaign: justgiving.com/page/david-foster-2.
