Birmingham Airport Abseil Raises Thousands for Acorns Children’s Hospice

Birmingham Airport has raised £12,000 for its charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hospice, through adventurous employees taking part in a sponsored abseil.

On a wet and windy day in April more than 50 employees took the plunge down the 32 metre building of Birmingham Airport’s Head Quarters, Diamond House.

Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport presenting a cheque to David Strudley, former CEO of Acorns Children’s Hospice

Acorns, the Airport’s nominated charity, organised the event to raise much needed funds towards the charity’s care for children and support for their families.

Acorns provides specialist, palliative care to life limited and life threatened children, young people and support for their families across the Midlands. In the last year the charity has supported more than 830 children and 1,060 families, including those who are bereaved.

Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport went over the edge with David Strudley, former CEO of Acorns. Commenting on his abseil, Paul said: “It was excellent fun and it’s been great to see so many members of staff involved in the abseil this year. The money we’ve raised will undoubtedly help life limited children and their families in local communities as they go through a very difficult time.

“The airport has developed a great relationship with Acorns since we started our association with them back in 2008. We very much look forward to continuing to take part in these extremely worthwhile fundraising events for them going forward.”

Since 2008 Birmingham Airport has raised over £60,000 for Acorns through various fundraising events including abseils, cake sales and raffles.

David Strudley, the recently retired CEO of Acorns, commented: “We are hugely grateful for this donation, and the committed individuals who conquered their fears for the abseil. We have to raise nearly £10 million every year to provide our care and we rely on the help of the community and partners like Birmingham Airport to raise this amount.

“Without fundraising events like this, we could not provide the care that we hope to be able to provide to 1,000 children by the end of the decade. With the longstanding support of organisations like Birmingham Airport, this vision will be possible.”

For more information about the incredible work Acorns does please visit www.acorns.org.uk