Goodyear Approaches Children’s Hospital Target

Following the reassertion of its pledge to raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Goodyear now has the finishing line in sight as company employees’ hard work comes to fruition. Earlier this year Goodyear pledged to raise £50,000 for the building of a specialist play area for patients of the Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Service. The work has now been completed and Goodyear’s managing director Mark Brickhill joined BCH chairman Jo Davis to find out how the space has made a difference to the lives of those patients.

Brickhill commented, “The play area at the hospital looks wonderful and it’s great to finally see it being enjoyed by the patients. Family safety and innovation are at the heart of our business and so there is a natural affiliation between us and the development of a play area for the CAMHS patients. After speaking with some of the children and hearing how much they are enjoying the new space, I’m sure that all at Goodyear will be spurred on to reach our final £50,000 target.

“Since making the commitment six months ago, Goodyear associates have undertaken a variety of weird and wonderful activities in order to reach the extraordinary target, and I have been extremely impressed by their dedication. Just recently our very own Wingfoot Warriors, made up of nine Goodyear associates, cycled from Fort Dunlop in Erdington to the Eiffel Tower. Covering over 320 miles, they raised a staggering £9,000.” Other fundraising activities have included a Goodyear Marathon tyre roll around Birmingham’s canals and a charity golf day.

Davis added, “The commitment by Goodyear to raise this money has enabled us to have the play area constructed much sooner than had we attempted to raise the funds ourselves. Physical play is important to the development of all children, but this is especially true for children with mental health issues. Children living with a mental illness need the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and let of steam just as much as the next child, but their conditions can sometimes leave them feeling anxious and wary amongst strangers. This donation will make a huge difference to the lives of the children who spend time on the CAHMS ward and we wish Goodyear luck as they embark on the final stages of fundraising.”