High-profile business figures join forces to lead Kids’ Village charity

An ambitious national charity which will build the UK’s first holiday village to provide free breaks for children with critical illnesses has announced the appointment of two renowned West Midlands business figures.

Doug Wright and Paul Faulkner have been named as Chair and Interim CEO respectively of Kids’ Village.

Kids’ Village is aiming to support critically ill children and their families by offering an escape from their day-to-day trauma with a restful and magical escape in the Staffordshire countryside.

The project is the brainchild of Sam Fletcher-Goodwin, from Lichfield, who at the age of nine was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma.

During this traumatic and uncertain time, Sam and her family had the opportunity to experience the Give Kids The World Village resort in Florida.

Kids’ Village will create a similar experience for critically ill children in the UK, by building a resort in Wychnor, near Lichfield, comprising 10 four-bedroom lodges and a central facility known as ‘The Hive’.

Mr. Wright, a McDonald’s franchisee who employs just under 3,000 people across 26 sites in the West Midlands, has been appointed as the charity’s inaugural Chair as it looks to raise £5 million for a capital build project.

He has significant experience in the charitable sector, having spent six years as chair of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Birmingham – raising more than £10m during his tenure.

Mr. Wright, who is also a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands and a patron of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, received an MBE for Services to the Economy and Charity in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

He said: “I am delighted to have been asked to Chair this exceptional charity and to head up creating this village for sick kids who will benefit many families across the West Midlands and beyond.

It’s a great honour to have been asked by the Fletcher family to help them build their dream which will have such a positive impact in so many ways.”

He added: “It’s wonderful that the first site is located just outside Lichfield. It’s going to be a very exciting time as we look to raise the £5m required to build this wonderful and unique facility that will help over 4,000 people a year.

We will be looking to engage with all of the West Midlands as we embark upon the capital fundraising campaign.”

Mr. Faulkner has previously been CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, as well as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest football clubs.

He most recently worked as chief of staff and operations for the Richardson family business, with whom he continues to work on an advisory basis.

He has held a number of non-executive director and trustee positions across the West Midlands – including in the charitable sector with Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Trust, Cure Leukaemia and Town Hall Symphony Hall.

Mr. Faulkner said: “I am thrilled to be taking up the role of CEO of Kids’ Village on an interim basis, as the charity starts a period of intensive capital fundraising. With planning permission now secured for the Village, we are kick-starting the campaign to raise the £5 million required to build the facility as soon as possible.

The plans are ambitious, and I would urge any individuals and businesses who would like to learn more about Kids’ Village and how they can support or get involved to reach out to me directly.

Another key task will be to lead the recruitment process for a permanent CEO over the coming months, and so watch this space for more information on that.”

He added: “When I first started discussing Kids’ Village with Doug, Sam and other trustees, I genuinely couldn’t believe that such a respite facility for sick children and their families didn’t already exist in the UK.

As the parent of a child with a life-limiting condition myself, I can appreciate just how important the opportunity for families to take a break from daily challenges and create magical memories is.

The opportunity to work in tandem with Doug, somebody whose success, drive and commitment to the community I have long admired, to help deliver the UK’s first such village here in the West Midlands is extremely exciting and a challenge I am relishing.”

Planning permission has been granted to build the Kids’ Village on land which is being donated to the charity by the Mercer family, who operate a collection of enterprises including the well-known Packington Free Range pork and poultry brand. The family business is also involved in a number of other charity projects based at their Staffordshire farm.

Sam, who is now 29-years-old, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome both Doug and Paul to the Kids’ Village team. Their experience is invaluable and I know they will help us to bring my vision to life.

I’ve dreamt of creating this holiday village since I visited America in 2004 and now we’re going to create something with the same magic here in the heart of the UK.

I hope to offer children and families that were in the same position as I was a chance to relax in the beautiful countryside and make special memories.”