The partnership brings together two organisations with deep roots in South London and a shared commitment to improving the lives of local people. Throughout the season, King's College Hospital Charity and Dulwich Hamlet FC will work together to raise funds to support King's College Hospital, increase awareness of the exceptional care it provides, and inspire more people to get behind their local NHS.
The Charity is dedicated to supporting King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, whose flagship hospital in Camberwell sits just a short walk from Dulwich Hamlet's Champion Hill stadium. Together, the Trust's hospitals provide life-changing care for hundreds of thousands of patients every year across South-East London and beyond.
The partnership also celebrates a remarkable, shared history. The connection between King's College Hospital and Dulwich Hamlet dates back more than 100 years, with records showing the Club sponsored the "Pink and Blue Bed" on King's Lonsdale Ward in memory of players and staff who lost their lives during the First World War. That ward continues to care for patients today.
This new partnership renews that historic relationship while looking firmly to the future, creating new opportunities to strengthen community support for one of London's leading NHS hospitals.
King's College Hospital is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching hospitals, internationally recognised for specialist services including liver disease and transplantation, major trauma, stroke, neurosciences and foetal medicine. Every day, King's delivers extraordinary care to patients from across South London and far beyond.
King's College Hospital Charity helps make that care even better by funding pioneering research, state-of-the-art equipment, improved hospital environments and innovative projects that go beyond what the NHS can provide alone. The Charity also invests in the wellbeing and development of NHS staff, helping them deliver the very best care for patients.
Alan Bolchover, Chief Executive of King's College Hospital Charity, said:
"We are absolutely delighted to become the Official Charity Partner of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club – a club that shares our deep commitment to the community we both serve.
“This partnership revives a relationship that stretches back more than a century. King's College Hospital and Dulwich Hamlet have long been part of the fabric of South London, and together we have an exciting opportunity to build on that shared heritage for the benefit of local people.
“For us, this is about much more than football. It is about bringing our community together behind their local hospital. Every day, King's delivers extraordinary care, while our Charity helps fund pioneering research, cutting-edge equipment, improved hospital environments and innovations that transform the experience of patients, families and NHS staff.
“We hope this partnership will inspire more people to discover the difference charitable support makes and to play their part in helping King's continue to provide world-class care. Together with Dulwich Hamlet, we want to create something that leaves a lasting legacy for patients, staff and our community."
Ben Clasper, Chairman of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, said:
"We are incredibly proud to welcome King's College Hospital Charity as our Official Charity Partner.
“Dulwich Hamlet has always been much more than a football club. We are rooted in our community, and partnering with an organisation that makes such a profound difference to people's lives feels like a natural fit.
“We are excited to work together throughout the coming season to raise awareness, bring people together and support one of South London's most important institutions."
