- Kids' Village has been named as Aston University's Charity of the Year
- The university has committed £200,000 to support the creation of the first purpose-built holiday village in the UK for critically ill children and their families
- Aston students will design a lodge for the village, will support fundraising and will help with project initiatives.
Aston University has named Kids’ Village as its official charity of the year and committed £200,000 to help create the UK’s first purpose-built holiday village exclusively for critically ill children and vulnerable families.
Through this transformative partnership, students from the University’s Design Factory Birmingham will design a dedicated “Aston Lodge” as part of the 10-cabin village on the 30-acre Wychnor site near Lichfield, while also supporting year-round fundraising and project initiatives.
This collaboration marks a defining moment for Kids’ Village’s mission to provide a life-changing sanctuary where vulnerable families can create precious memories together during the most challenging times of their lives.
The partnership demonstrates how academic excellence and innovation, and compassionate purpose can unite to deliver real-world impact, through a groundbreaking community partnership that will transform lives of many across the city, region and beyond.
Founded by the Fletcher family, who experienced the trauma and challenges of childhood critical illness first-hand when their daughter Sam Fletcher-Goodwin battled cancer, aged nine, the Kids’ Village project is inspired by their visit to ‘Give Kids the World Village’ in Florida over 20 years ago.
Sam Fletcher-Goodwin, now 31, explains:
“Kids’ Village will be the total opposite of being in hospital. A literal breath of fresh air in the countryside and a chance for families to embrace the spirit of childhood and create magical memories together. I know first-hand what a transformational impact a break can have not just for the sick child, but for the whole family. Thank you to Aston University for partnering with Kids’ Village to deliver this positive impact and a UK first.”
Aston University has pledged to fund the construction of a four-bedroom Aston Lodge at Kids’ Village which, once built, will offer free of charge magical respite holidays to critically ill children and their families each year on ongoing basis.
Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University said:
“Aston University is proud to support Kids’ Village’s mission to provide critically ill children and their families with a place to create precious memories in one of our region’s most beautiful natural settings. This partnership embodies our commitment to social impact and transforming lives, while offering our students meaningful opportunities to apply their skills and creativity for the most vulnerable members of our community. The collaboration exemplifies Aston’s vision as an Inclusive, Entrepreneurial and Transformational university, measured by the real-world impact we create for the communities we serve.”
Douglas Wright MBE DL, Chairman of Kids’ Village said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have partnered with Aston University which is a powerful example of how business can be a force for good and create lasting change in the lives of critically ill children and their families. We hope others are inspired to follow Aston University’s lead and be part of this legacy. A heartfelt thank you to Aleks and the university for their belief in our mission.”
To find out more about Kids’ Village, visit kidsvillage.org.uk or email info@kidsvillage.org.uk
- Notes to editors
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About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media enquiries in relation to this release, contact Loretta Milan, Head of Communications, on (+44) 7773 773959 or email: l.milan@aston.ac.uk