Daredevil Stourbridge dad to take on Villa Park abseil challenge

Matt Greaves will be scaling Villa Park’s most famous stand as a way of raising funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice – the charity which cares for his daughter Jessica.

The 37-year-old is urging other football fans to join him on Saturday, July 18, for the Acorns Villa Abseil to help the charity which supports life-limited and life-threatened children across the Midlands.

Matt said: “This is my way of saying thank you for the amazing and fantastic work Acorns does in helping my daughter enjoy her life to the full.

“It’s going to be pretty terrifying from so high up, but I’m sure it’ll be an experience I never forget!

“This is the perfect challenge for a Villa fan. I really hope people are inspired to sign up and raise vital funds for Acorns.”

Matt’s 13-year-old daughter Jessica has cerebral palsy and requires around the clock care. She visits the Selly Oak based Acorns hospice for short stays, which helps give her family a break.

“Jessica is so bright and happy and loves spending time with the staff at Acorns who help stimulate and inspire her,” Matt said. “It also means the rest of our family can have some respite.

“Acorns and its staff are an inspiration to me and the many others who have seen the work they do first hand. I can only hope that any money I raise can touch somebody else's life in the way mine has been.”

Charlotte Anson, corporate fundraising officer at Acorns, said: “We’re thrilled Matt is taking part in the abseil and we hope others are inspired to sign up.”

Registration for the abseil costs £25 and 75 per cent of sponsorship raised will go to Acorns. The remaining 25 per cent of money raised will go towards Aston Villa’s charity, Villa in the Community.

To join Matt in taking part in the Acorns Aston Villa Abseil, visit www.acorns.org.uk/villa-abseil, email corporatefun@acorns.org.uk, or call 01564 825000. To donate to Matt’s abseil challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/Mattgreavesabseil