THE BLUES have donated more than £20,000 to NSPCC Birmingham, following the second annual Arthur Memorial Matchdays in January.
Birmingham City Football Club honours Arthur Labinjo-Hughes’ birthday each year by raising funds for the Hagley Road-based children’s charity, with the men’s and women’s first team players wearing special commemorative shirts that went on sale in the Club shop.
Alongside the limited-edition jersey, Blues hit the total of £21,478 by selling Arthur teddy bears, auctioning off match-worn shirts, and fundraising in the stands during the game with Preston North End earlier in the year.
With final sales of all shirts and merchandise now completed, head coach John Eustace and club captain Troy Deeney presented Amanda Synnott from NSPCC Birmingham with a cheque from the matchday, which will used to fund Childline and the NSPCC Helpline in the city.
The fundraiser in January, on the matchday closest to Arthur’s birthday, makes up part of the year-round affiliation between Birmingham City and the NSPCC, which included a friendly in Arthur’s name with Solihull Moors, player visits to the charity’s offices and support for other fundraising events.
Amanda Synnott, NSPCC community fundraising manager for the West Midlands, said: “We would like to give a massive thanks to Birmingham City and to all the fans of the Club.
“The tragic death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes shocked the country; and the memorial matchdays dedicated to his memory demonstrate the determination of the community in Birmingham to do something to make a difference.
“I am absolutely thrilled to receive this amazing donation on behalf of the NSPCC. The money raised will support the NSPCC’s work in Birmingham and across the UK to help keep children safe.”
