A community with big hearts as BHX raises £200k for Birmingham Children’s Hospital

The airport originally pledged to raise £250,000 after Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity was chosen by its colleagues as its official charity partner for 2025 to 2028. Having already surpassed £200,000 in just 18 months, the airport is well on its way to exceeding that target.

The partnership forms part of BHX’s Responsible Neighbour programme, through which the airport supports local charities by investing time, resources and fundraising efforts to make a lasting difference within the Midlands community.

Every pound raised helps Birmingham Children’s Hospital continue to provide life-changing equipment, pioneering research, enhanced facilities and wellbeing support for the thousands of children and families who rely on the hospital each year.

So far, funds raised by BHX have helped create a sensory room, support the ongoing running of the hospital’s MediCinema and contribute to a range of improvements to the hospital’s Emergency Department.

The remarkable total has been achieved thanks to the support of colleagues, passengers, our supply chain, concessions and other local businesses who have embraced a packed programme of fundraising events.

Among the highlights was the airport’s inaugural charity dinner, which raised an outstanding £63,000 in a single evening. More than 400 guests attended the event, taking part in a silent auction featuring exclusive experiences and a charity raffle. Following its success, the dinner will return this October.

Fundraisers have also laced up their running shoes for the airport’s Runway Fun Run, giving participants the rare chance to complete a 3km run along the runway at night while the airport was closed. Others have taken on an abseil descending 104 feet to raise money while 14 teams collectively cycled the 4,800-mile distance from Birmingham to Cancun on static bikes, racing a live departing flight.

Away from fundraising events, airport colleagues have dedicated hundreds of hours volunteering at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, spending time with the young patients and their families to see first-hand the difference they are making.

Whether participating in Art Kart creative sessions, helping children express themselves through arts and crafts or bring smiles to the wards by dressing up during the festive season, volunteers have helped deliver special moments for children and bring them a bit of normalcy during their stay. Many colleagues have spoken of how inspiring it has been to meet the young patients, whose courage and resilience have left a lasting impression.

Simon Richards, Chief Finance & Sustainability Officer at Birmingham Airport, said: “Reaching more than £200,000 in less than two years is an incredible achievement and one that everyone involved should be proud of. What makes this partnership so special is the number of people who have come together for this very worthy cause. I'd like to thank our Birmingham Airport colleagues, our passengers, and our concessions partners as well as extend a special thanks to Mitie who gone above and beyond and sponsored two events.

“Whether through donation or by giving their time, their support helps the hospital continue its outstanding work when people need it most. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. With more events planned over the coming months, we’re excited to see what we can achieve together next.”

Helen Miles, Head of Partnerships and Major Donors at Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, said: "It's such an incredible feat to have reached £200,000 raised for our patients in such a short amount of time. It's a testament to everyone's commitment and passion for the cause, plus the ingenuity of the team. With the money raised so far, we've already been able to make a massive impact on the experiences of our patients and families. We're so grateful to every single person who has given up their time and donated, and we can't wait to see how far this partnership can go - the sky's the limit!"