Birmingham Airport raises £63,000 for Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity
Birmingham Airport has raised over £63,000 for its nominated charity partner, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, at its inaugural charity dinner event sponsored by partner company Mitie.
The regional transport hub hosted over 400 guests from 46 partner organisations recently for an evening of live entertainment, relaxed dining and fundraising at the Heart of England Conference Centre in Meriden.
Hosted by BBC WM DJ, Ed James, the event featured a varied programme of entertainment sponsored by OCS including performances from The Lost Keys, Anya Sweeney and magician, Angus Baskerville.
The charity’s CEO, Mark Brider, also hosted an inspirational interview with Elizabeth Soffee, a brave young patient who received vital care from the hospital.
Following a house fire when she was just six months old, Elizabeth was transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where she has received specialist medical care ever since.
During the interview Elizabeth shared her poignant recovery journey at the hospital including her incredible fundraising efforts for the charity which has seen over £200,000 raised to date.
Fundraising on the night included a silent auction of exclusive experiences, a charity raffle and an interactive heads and tails game. In a special moment, a lucky raffle winner from Mitie immediately gifted his prize of an Xbox One to Elizabeth and her siblings, whose family had wished for the console for many years.
Attendees pledged donations via a charity wish list of essential items required at the hospital.
Following the event, Barclays Bank kindly donated £8,000 towards the development of a new sensory room at the hospital.
In January, Birmingham Airport announced Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity* as its official nominated charity partner for 2025 to 2028.
As part of the partnership, the airport has pledged to raise £250,000 across three years for the hospital.
Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to celebrate the success of this inaugural charity dinner in support of our nominated charity partner, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.
“It was truly wonderful to witness so many of our partners and colleagues come together to support such an incredible local cause and thanks to their extraordinary generosity, we have made significant strides towards our pledged target.”
Mark Brider, CEO of Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, added: "We’re so proud of our three-year partnership with Birmingham Airport and the passion and enthusiasm the team puts behind every fundraising event.
“The charity dinner was a huge success and the impact of everyone in the room’s generosity will have a lasting difference on the 100,000 sick kids treated at our world-class hospital every year. Together we’re transforming lives.”
To find out more about Birmingham Airport’s corporate partnership with BCH, please visit the community investment page here.
Pictured: Nick Barton (right), CEO of Birmingham Airport with Mark Brider (left), CEO of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Elizabeth Soffee (middle)
