Summit Learning Trust and the schools within its network have raised £21,803 for Kids’ Village, a charity building the UK’s first holiday village for critically ill children and their families.
The Solihull and Birmingham-based trust chose Kids’ Village as its official charity partner for the 2025/26 academic year, with pupils and staff across all of its schools taking part in fundraising activities throughout the year.
Trust representatives recently attended a thank-you event at Hilton St George’s Park in Burton-on-Trent, where fundraisers, partners and sponsors were updated on the progress of the project, known as Charlotte’s Kids Village UK.
The centre, currently under construction in Staffordshire, is named in memory of a child who died from a brain tumour at the age of 11, whose family made a significant contribution to the project. According to the charity, families are hoped to begin staying at the village from next summer.
Vince Green, CEO of Summit Learning Trust, attended the event and praised those involved in the fundraising effort. He said:
“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.
“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.”
Katrina Cooke, CEO of Kids’ Village, thanked the trust for its support. She 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.
“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.”
The schools that contributed to the fundraising total are 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.
Those wishing to support the project can donate via the Summit Learning Trust JustGiving campaign page for Charlotte’s Kids Village UK.
