Meet the charities receiving Birmingham Black Sabbath gig’s proceeds

Chloe Hughes

BBC News, West Midlands

Reuters

The gig was the first time the original Black Sabbath line-up had performed together for 20 years

Thousands descended on Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday for Ozzy Osbourne’s last-ever gig.

Hosted by Black Sabbath, Back To The Beginning featured a star-studded line-up of metal giants, including Metallica and Slayer.

Osbourne, 76, grew up within a few streets of his bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, a stone’s throw from the Aston stadium.

All profits will be split equally between three local charities – but who are they, and what will the money be used for?

One of the beneficiaries will be Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s charity – a cause that Sharon and Ozzy have supported in the past.

“We found out when everyone else found out, when the gig was announced… it was absolutely a lovely delight,” said Sheeba Ali, a fundraising manager at the charity.

The charity said it found out it would benefit only when the gig was announced

Although the team do not know how much money will come their way, Ms Ali said the charity was hoping a lot would be raised.

The cash will be used to improve patients’ and families’ experiences in the hospital.

“That can be anything in terms of improving the environment, there’s a lot of development happening at the children’s hospital at the moment… to make it a less scary space for kids,” she said.

That work includes the ongoing transformation of the front entrance, which will see a large aquarium built.

Also planned are emergency department improvements, entertainment activities brought in for the children, a new cinema and equipment.

“It was a brilliant surprise and we’re over the moon,” Ms Ali added.

Cure Parkinson’s

Andy Simons said Cure Parkinson’s was “so grateful” to be receiving money

Cure Parkinson’s is a cause close to the hearts of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne – as the singer has largely been forced to stop touring due to the disease and spinal injuries.

He revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease in January 2020.

The charity’s director of fundraising and marketing, Andy Simons, said they were “over the moon”, and “so grateful”.

“We are increasingly wanting to make sure people with Parkinson’s all over the country… have some access to trials, and that includes Birmingham and the West Midlands, so any donations or funds raised from this will help us do that,” he said.

He added that two trials coming up would be in the city and wider region.

“We want to make sure people who are living with Parkinson’s in those areas are able to join in with trials which might benefit them, and it will certainly benefit the search for the cure,” he told BBC Radio WM.

Directly addressing the Black Sabbath frontman, Mr Simons said: “This is making an enormous difference, it already has, because you mentioning us in your publicity has enabled us as a charity to reach more people with Parkinson’s around the country than we had before.

“All hail the prince of darkness!”

Joanna Hutton said donations to the hospice kept it open

Acorns Children’s Hospice is the final charity to benefit. It has its headquarters in Birmingham and also runs hospices in Walsall and Worcester, currently supporting 800 to 900 children every year.

“[This will enable us] to be there for more children and families,” said Trevor Johnson, Acorns’ CEO, who added that demand for services had more than doubled in the past two years.

Joanna Hutton, a nurse at the Walsall hospice, said all donations were “crucial” because “otherwise we can’t stay open”.

She added that the hospice aimed to create a home-like environment for children, with activities such as cooking and crafts, as well as daytrips.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *