West Ham’s Areola, Todibo Launch 2026 Calendar at Paragon

Key Points

• West Ham United players Alphonse Areola and Jean-Clair Todibo made a surprise visit to Paragon in Dagenham to thank staff for supporting the West Ham United Foundation.
• Paragon, a long-standing supporter and Founding Patron of The Foundry, produced branding for the Foundation’s Gala Dinner and Awards as headline sponsor.
• The majority of Paragon’s 500 workforce at the Dagenham site supports West Ham United.​
• Players toured Paragon’s facilities, including office, design, and production areas, viewing Foundation materials in production, including the 2026 charity calendar fresh off the line.
• Areola and Todibo were among the first to handle the 2026 calendar and surprised four staff members—Gemma Mitchell, Jack (house manager and Paragon football team captain), Bill and Sue (site support), and Stewart (handles Foundation print requirements)—with West Ham gifts and signed memorabilia.
• In a video posted by the West Ham United Foundation, Areola stated: “We are here to thank them all for what they are doing for the foundation, for the club, and we’ve been lucky to meet a few of the staff working on the foundation items and, yeah, been lucky to have the calendar as well.”​
• Todibo added: “I took the next calendar, literally six [of them]. It’s a good one, it’s quite pretty. I took four for my family.”​
• Gemma Mitchell, managing director of Paragon Dagenham, said: “As well as having the players here today, there’s been recognition for certain individuals that have really engaged with the Foundation and put a lot of time and effort into it: myself, Jack our house manager who’s our Paragon football team captain, Bill and Sue who work in our site support function, and Stewart who handles all of the print requirements for the Foundation.”​
• The West Ham United Foundation posted: “We’re proud to work alongside Paragon, whose commitment continues to help us create positive impact across our community.”​
• Paragon produced branding and printed materials for Foundation initiatives in 2025 and sponsored the 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards.​

Dagenham (East London Times) January 20, 2026 – West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and defender Jean-Clair Todibo surprised staff at Paragon’s Dagenham facility with a special visit to express gratitude for the company’s ongoing support of the Club’s Foundation, coinciding with the launch of the Foundation’s 2026 charity calendar.

What prompted the surprise visit by Areola and Todibo to Paragon?

The visit stemmed from Paragon’s deep-rooted partnership with the West Ham United Foundation, the charitable arm of the football club dedicated to community support in East London and beyond. As reported on the official West Ham United website, Paragon is a long-standing supporter and a Founding Patron of The Foundry, recently producing all branding for the Gala Dinner and Awards as the headline sponsor. Print Monthly detailed that Paragon, a print and business services firm, played a key role in 2025 by supporting Foundation programmes through branding and printed materials.​

With the majority of its 500-strong workforce at the Dagenham site proudly backing West Ham United, the event created a memorable occasion for employees across the business. The players greeted staff upon arrival, highlighting the personal appreciation from the club for Paragon’s contributions amid ongoing community challenges like the cost-of-living crisis.​

Who were the key staff recognised during the Paragon visit?

Four dedicated Paragon employees received special recognition from Areola and Todibo for their exceptional commitment to the Foundation. Gemma Mitchell, managing director of Paragon Dagenham, explained in a West Ham Foundation video covered by Print Monthly:

“As well as having the players here today, there’s been recognition for certain individuals that have really engaged with the Foundation and put a lot of time and effort into it: myself, Jack our house manager who’s our Paragon football team captain, Bill and Sue who work in our site support function, and Stewart who handles all of the print requirements for the Foundation.”​

The players took time to listen to their stories before presenting West Ham United gifts from the Club shop and signing memorabilia. This gesture underscored the personal thanks extended to those driving the partnership forward.

What did Areola and Todibo say about the visit and calendar?

During the tour, Areola and Todibo shared enthusiastic comments captured in a video posted by the West Ham United Foundation, as reported by Print Monthly. Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola stated:

“We are here to thank them all for what they are doing for the foundation, for the club, and we’ve been lucky to meet a few of the staff working on the foundation items and, yeah, been lucky to have the calendar as well.”​

Jean-Clair Todibo echoed the sentiment, adding:

“I took the next calendar, literally six [of them]. It’s a good one, it’s quite pretty. I took four for my family.”

These remarks highlighted the players’ genuine appreciation as they handled the freshly produced 2026 calendars.

What activities took place during the tour of Paragon’s facilities?

Areola and Todibo conducted a comprehensive tour of Paragon’s extensive venue, spanning office, design, and large-scale production areas. According to the West Ham United official news, they gained insights into the breadth of work undertaken for the Foundation, including viewing a range of materials in production.​

A key highlight was the 2026 charity calendar, fresh off the production line, with the players among the first to get their hands on it. Print Monthly noted they also met team members and signed memorabilia, fostering direct interaction with the workforce.​

What is the West Ham United Foundation and its initiatives?

The West Ham United Foundation serves as the club’s charitable arm, focusing on sport and health clubs, mentoring, education, and employment opportunities, particularly for working-class communities facing the cost-of-living crisis. Print Monthly reported that its initiatives aim to benefit local areas in East London during economic pressures.​

Paragon’s support extends to producing essential materials for these programmes. The Foundation’s accompanying message stated:

“We’re proud to work alongside Paragon, whose commitment continues to help us create positive impact across our community.”​

How has Paragon contributed to the Foundation historically?

Paragon has been a steadfast ally, acting as a Founding Patron of The Foundry and providing critical production support. The official West Ham site detailed their role in creating all branding for the recent Gala Dinner and Awards as headline sponsor.​

In 2025, Paragon supported various programmes by producing branding and printed materials, as covered extensively by Print Monthly. This ongoing collaboration ensures the Foundation’s community efforts receive professional backing from the Dagenham-based firm.​

Where can the 2026 West Ham Foundation calendar be obtained?

The 2026 calendar, featuring endorsement from Areola and Todibo via Instagram posts by the Foundation, is now available for purchase. An Instagram reel from the Foundation announced:

“Get your 2026 West Ham United Foundation Calendar now! Available at the Foundry or through the link in our bio!”

Proceeds from sales directly aid the Foundation’s community projects, making it a tangible way for supporters to contribute. The players’ involvement in its launch adds collectible appeal for West Ham fans.​

Why is this visit significant for Paragon’s Dagenham workforce?

For Paragon’s 500 employees, many avid West Ham supporters, the visit marked a rare and uplifting moment. The official report emphasised how it celebrated their shared passion and dedication to the Foundation’s cause.​

Gemma Mitchell’s recognition alongside colleagues like Jack, Bill, Sue, and Stewart personalised the event, boosting morale across office, design, and production teams. Such interactions strengthen community ties between the club and local businesses.​

What broader impact does the Foundation-Paragon partnership have?

The partnership amplifies the Foundation’s reach in tackling social issues through targeted initiatives. Print Monthly highlighted benefits like health clubs and employment aid during tough economic times.​

By producing high-quality materials like the 2026 calendar, Paragon enables efficient outreach. The West Ham Foundation’s pride in this alliance underscores its role in fostering positive change in East London communities.