A consortium of schools across the West Midlands has collectively raised more than £21,000 for Kids' Village, a charity dedicated to supporting critically ill children and their families. The substantial funds will contribute to the construction of a new respite holiday village, designed to provide free breaks for families navigating difficult medical treatments.
Fundraising Campaign and School Participation
The educational trust selected Kids' Village as its official charity partner for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students and staff from ten different school sites engaged in a variety of fundraising activities to generate the necessary building funds. Representatives from the trust recently attended a special thank-you event in Staffordshire to receive updates on construction progress. The holiday centre is being built in memory of an 11-year-old girl who tragically died from a brain tumour.
Leadership Comments on the Initiative
Vince Green, CEO of Summit Learning Trust, expressed his appreciation for the collective effort. “I was privileged to attend the Kids’ Village Charity event on behalf of the legends from across Summit Learning Trust, who have been working to support this incredible cause. What the Kids’ Village team have done so far, in a short period of time, is truly inspirational, as Charlotte’s Kids Village starts to take shape,” he said.
Green added: “I would like to thank everyone so far who has contributed to our fundraising efforts: we may not be able to change a diagnosis, but together we can create moments of joy, care and togetherness. I strongly encourage others in our region and beyond to support and advocate for this life-changing project.”
Unique Holiday Village for Critically Ill Children
The complex will become the first dedicated holiday village of its kind in the United Kingdom when it opens its doors to families next year. Organisers have expressed deep gratitude to the pupils and teachers who worked diligently to make the project a reality. Katrina Cooke, CEO of Kids' Village, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Summit Learning Trust for their phenomenal support over the past 12 months. Every pound raised is helping with the construction of our first site, Charlotte's Kids' Village in Staffordshire.”
Cooke continued: “As the UK's first holiday village exclusively for critically ill children and their families, the village will open to its first families in 2027. We cannot thank the pupils, staff and wider school communities enough for believing in our vision and helping make this possible.”
Participating Schools and How to Support
The individual schools that contributed to the grand total include Cockshut Hill School, Lyndon School, Ninestiles, An Academy, Solihull Sixth Form College, Erdington Hall Primary, Kineton Green School, The Oaklands Primary School, Pegasus Primary School, and Yarnfield Primary School. Anyone who wishes to support the ongoing construction project can make a donation online through the official fundraising platform at www.justgiving.com/page/summit-learning-trust.
