BIRMINGHAM City footballers will be heading out onto the pitch in memory of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes at its second annual Arthur Matchdays.
The Blues men’s and women’s team will also be raising funds for NSPCC Birmingham at St Andrew’s in the teams’ closest home matches to the Blues fan’s birthday on January 4.
This year, the men’s annual Arthur Matchday will be marked at the Sky Bet Championship contest versus Preston North End on January 21.
When they kick-off 3pm, with Blues’ players will be wearing a special one-off shirt, with Arthur 6 printed in the centre of the chest.
The women’s Barclays Championship match against Sunderland on January 22, which kicks off at 2pm, will also be dedicated to the youngster who died in 2020 in Shirley.
A selection of shirts will be signed before the women’s match and will be available for auction after the game.
As well as the exclusive shirts, there will be 100 teddy bears available in the Blues Store, where all of the sale price goes to the children’s charity.
Match ticket purchasers for both games will also be able to donate to the NSPCC whilst on the payment screen, with an optional donation button now added to the Club’s Ticketmaster site.
During the games a sixth-minute applause will take place to honour Arthur’s life and NSPCC volunteers will be collecting donations in the stands.
Arthur was six years old when he died from a brain injury inflicted by his Emma Tustin at her Cranmore Road home.
She was jailed for at least 29 years for murder and Arthur’s father Thomas Hughes got 21 years for manslaughter.
During the trial at Coventry Crown Court harrowing videos were shown of Arthur being forced to sleep on the floor, stand in isolation for hours at a time, being sworn at and calling out no one loves him.
Tustin and Hughes, who were also convicted of child cruelty, had made Arthur stand in isolation for 14 hours at a time and had also deprived him of food and water and poisoned him with salt.
NSPCC Community fundraising manager for the West Midlands, Amanda Synnott, said: “These special matchdays, hosted by Birmingham City Football Club, will not only ensure Arthur is never forgotten but will also highlight the importance that we all play in safeguarding children and young people.
“I would like to thank Birmingham City Football Club and the club’s supporters for their continued support in helping to keep children safe.”
The limited-edition Arthur memorial kit will be available to purchase in-store and online and all profits will go to the NSPCC.
