One Year On: Birmingham Airport Celebrates Record Fundraising Achievement for Children's Hospital

The total was raised through an extensive targeted calendar of fundraising activity, which saw passengers, colleagues and partner organisations come together to raise funds. Announced in January 2025, the partnership kickstarted with a takeover day at the airport in March with colleagues from across the business wearing red and participating in a variety of competitions in support of the charity. In June, brave staff from BHX and beyond took the plunge, completing a sponsored charity abseil off the airport’s headquarters which raised £32,668.

A further £63,000 was raised by the airport at its inaugural charity dinner in October. Hosted by BBC WM’s DJ, Ed James, the event saw over 400 guests from 44 partner organisations attend an evening of live entertainment, relaxed dining and fundraising at the Heart of England Conference Centre. The exciting calendar of charity events culminated with the Runway Fun Run in November, a high energy themed event that raised an additional £18,680 and provided attendees with the rare opportunity to run the entire length of the airport’s 3km runway at night during runway closures.

Support from the airport is already making a difference, with money from the charity dinner allowing a sensory room within the hospital to receive a transformation. The much-needed space will be revamped to bring a calm and relaxing environment to help regulate the emotional and sensory needs of patients, especially those who are neurodiverse.

In addition to fundraising support, airport colleagues have volunteered over 150 working hours or four weeks at the charity throughout the year including supporting the hospital’s regular ‘Art Kart’ arts and crafts sessions and gift-wrapping Christmas presents for patients. Colleagues from the airport also volunteered as ‘Magic Makers’ at the hospital’s grotto in December, dressing up in costumes to provide patients with an unforgettable festive experience.

Located in Birmingham city centre, the hospital is a leading UK specialist paediatric centre and offers expert care to over 100,000 children and young people from across the country every year. Just last week, the hospital and charity launched a new £2m appeal to transform its Emergency Department. The appeal will update the hospital’s emergency resus bays featuring all the latest life-saving technology as well as create a bigger and better equipped waiting room with areas for the department’s most vulnerable patients including a sensory room, a breastfeeding room and a dedicated safe space for patients experiencing a mental health crisis.

Reflecting on the first year of the partnership, Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport, said:

“Since the initial announcement of our charity partnership last January, it’s been incredible to see how our colleagues, partners and passengers have rallied behind Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. The hospital’s outstanding care makes such a difference to young people across our region, and I’m immensely proud of the collective support that BHX has been able to provide during the first year of this partnership, culminating on £116,000 being given to the incredible charity.

“We look forward to maintaining this momentum with more exciting charity challenges, engaging fundraising activities and impactful volunteering.”

Mark Brider, CEO at Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, said: "We’re so proud of our partnership with Birmingham Airport and the impact all the staff, passengers and airport partners are having on our world-class hospital.

“To have raised over £100,000 in year one is simply incredible and we’ve been blown away by the passion, enthusiasm and creativity of everyone involved. This is just the start of our partnership, and I can’t wait to see what this next year holds. Together we’re transforming the lives of our brave patients and their families and I couldn’t be more thankful.”