Birmingham City to dedicate one match a year to Arthur Labinjo-Hughes
Arthur Memorial Day will take place on the closest date to the six-year-old's birthday
Birmingham City Football Club is to dedicate a home match every year to the life of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, who was murdered at his home in Solihull.
The game, which will be honoured to the six-year-old, will take place on the home matchday closest to his birthday - January 4th - with the first taking place tomorrow when the Blues welcome Plymouth Argyle in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Arthur died after sustaining a catastrophic brain injury at a house in Solihull in June 2020. In December last year, his stepmother - Emma Tustin - was jailed for the child's murder and his father - Thomas Hughes - sentenced for manslaughter.
A spokesperson from Birmingham City Football Club said: "Having already renamed the Fridays’ Family Zone as Arthur’s Area and started planning a memorial garden in his name, the Club would also like to host annual fundraisers to help causes chosen by Arthur’s family, in order to help tackle and prevent child abuse in the future.
"From each sale of this programme, £1 will be donated to the NSPCC, with the figure raised being matched by programme publishers Ignition Sports Media. There will also be NSPCC information displayed on the big screen during this afternoon’s match.
"For the annual fixture, the FA has given special dispensation for Blues players to wear commemorative shirts with an “Arthur 6” kit printed on them. These shirts will be auctioned off in the Jasper Carrot Suite after the game and on eBay (which has waived all fees) in the week following Arthur’s Memorial Matchday. A number of shirts will also be given to Arthur’s family. As with the programme and ticket donations, all proceeds will go towards the NSPCC."
The statement continues: "The Club has spoken with members of Arthur’s family, and it was decided the fundraising would go towards the NSPCC for the preventive work they do with at-risk children in Birmingham. Funds will also go to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where the staff worked tirelessly to help the young Arthur.
"Each year at the Arthur Memorial Matchday, an executive box will be donated to a local children’s care home for the carers and young people to use and enjoy a game in a unique way."