Monday 19 August 2019

We’re absolutely thrilled that our Children’s Hospital has been announced as one of Aston Villa Football Club’s official charity partners for the next two seasons, alongside Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The partnership will see us work together on our shared goal of improving the mental health of young people in our city, leading the way by delivering initiatives that intervene and prevent mental health issues in childhood. By working together we intend to empower youngsters with the tools and awareness needed to improve their mental health first-aid and their emotional well-being.

Louise McCathie, our Director of Fundraising, said: “We are absolutely delighted Aston Villa has chosen to support us in this way. 

"We have a long-standing relationship with the club and its foundation and this significant extension to our partnership will make a huge and heartfelt difference to the lives of our brave children, young people and their families.”

Representatives from both our charity and Forward Thinking Birmingham mental health service, alongside Acorns, were guests at Aston Villa’s opening home game of the season against Bournemouth – their first after a return to the top flight – when the partnership was officially launched on the pitch ahead of the match.

Christian Purslow, Chief Executive at Aston Villa, said “We are delighted Birmingham Children’s Hospital will be one of Aston Villa Football Club’s official Charity Partners for the 2019/20 and 20/21 seasons. 

“One of the main objectives of the partnership is to raise awareness of the hospital with the Villa and wider football family across the globe. Alongside that, we are very excited to be working with them on a day-to-day basis through our own foundation to explore opportunities to work together on various projects and activities.”