Former Aston Villa striker and Birmingham-born football legend, Gabby Agbonlahor, has officially joined Acorns Children's Hospice as its newest Ambassador. The announcement was made on 17th November 2025, marking a significant partnership for the local charity.
A Personal Return to Acorns
Agbonlahor returned to the Acorns hospice in Birmingham to launch the partnership, revisiting the facilities he first encountered years ago during visits with his Aston Villa teammates. This time, he toured the charity's modernised spaces, including its brand-new family care suites. These suites allow parents to stay with their children day and night, a crucial support for families during incredibly difficult times.
During his visit, Gabby met with children, families, staff, and volunteers who are at the heart of Acorns' operations. He expressed his honour at taking on the role, stating his long-standing awareness of the charity's incredible work from his time at Villa.
Driven by Local Pride and Personal Connection
Gabby's connection to Acorns is deeply rooted. Born and raised in Birmingham, he spent 11 unforgettable seasons with Aston Villa, becoming a club icon. His commitment is also personal, with family members having received specialist care from Acorns in the past.
Since retiring from professional football, Agbonlahor has become a well-known pundit on TalkSPORT. His new role as Ambassador demonstrates a continued dedication to his local community.
In his statement, Gabby said: "This city means everything to me. Being able to give something back through Acorns feels really special, and I'm proud to join Team Acorns." He emphasised that Acorns needs community support more than ever and pledged to raise both awareness and funds for their work across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
A Vital Service for the Community
Vicky Smith, Executive Director of Income Generation at Acorns, welcomed Gabby, highlighting his status as a true Birmingham icon. She noted his powerful platform will help amplify the charity's vital work.
Acorns Children's Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, alongside support for their families.
The scale of their operation is substantial:
- In the past year, they cared for more than 780 children across the West Midlands.
- They supported over 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.
- Care is provided from three hospices in Birmingham, Walsall, and Worcester, as well as in the community.
The charity requires around £35,000 each day to operate, with over 70% of this amount coming from donations and community fundraising. With its new high-profile Ambassador, Acorns hopes to bolster this essential support for local families in need.
