The Health Lottery: Chelsea and Arsenal fans encouraged to support food bank on Sunday 10 November

With a steadfast commitment to supporting communities across Great Britain, The Health Lottery announces a new initiative to help combat food insecurity.

Partnering with the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, The Health Lottery will launch its inaugural Match Funding Drive on Sunday, November 10th at Chelsea Football Club, inviting football fans to join a worthy cause that will benefit one of the UK’s busiest food banks serving Hammersmith and Fulham.

More than half of Londoners who do not earn a “real living wage” have had to resort to using a food bank in the last year, according to new research.

The Living Wage Foundation (LWF) commissioned the survey for its annual report looking at what life is like for the 574,000 Londoners who are paid less than £13.15 an hour – which they say is the capital’s real living wage.

According to polling by Survation, 23% of the capital’s lowest-paid workers go to a food bank once a week or more, with a further 28% said they had visited at least once in the last year.

For many families, food banks have become a critical lifeline, especially as the cost of living continues to rise. As part of the initiative, fans attending the highly anticipated Chelsea vs. Arsenal game are encouraged to bring essential food items for donation.

In a unique twist, The Health Lottery will match the value of every donated item with a financial contribution, aiming to raise up to £5,000 to support Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank.

Every pound donated through this drive will effectively turn into £4 for the charity, thanks to the matching scheme.

“Football has an incredible power to unite communities,” said Carly Troullis, Head of Marketing at The Health Lottery. “This partnership with Chelsea Supporters’ Trust is about harnessing that unity to make a tangible difference for families facing hardship. Food insecurity exists even in places like Hammersmith and Fulham, where we often overlook the challenges many residents face. By coming together, we can help ensure that no family goes hungry this season.”
Items in demand include tinned fish, pasta sauces, breakfast cereals, UHT milk, and other staples that can provide immediate relief to local families.

Fans can drop off donations outside the Stoll Foundation gates on Fulham Road,

conveniently located between Fulham Broadway and the West Stand entrance. The collection point will open at 1.30pm, three hours before the match and close half an hour before kick-off at 4:30 pm.

With a track record of over £132 million contributed to health and wellness causes, The Health Lottery remains dedicated to strengthening communities across the UK, especially in times of need.

Whether you’re a Chelsea fan, Arsenal fan, or simply someone who wants to give back, your donation counts. Let’s make this match day memorable by coming together to support our neighbours in Hammersmith and Fulham.

For more information on how you can participate, follow The Health Lottery on Instagram.