Box4Kids
641. Barrie Wells
Barrie Wells is a philanthropist from Liverpool who established ‘Box4Kids’.
Box4Kids is a charity that makes use of empty executive boxes at sports and entertainment venues by inviting seriously ill children to enjoy a day cheering on their favourite sports teams or watching spectacular productions.
Box4Kids events have been held across 9 different sports and multiple entertainment venues, such as race days at Ascot and concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. To date, Barrie has invited over 4,000 children and their families to events at 72 different venues across the UK.
Barrie’s award coincided with a performance of Disney on Ice at the O2 Arena, where he hosted a box for a group of 6 seriously ill children and their parents.
In a personal letter to Barrie, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Through ‘Box4Kids’, you are providing thousands of seriously ill children with unique opportunities to cheer on their teams and watch their favourite shows at some of the UK’s greatest sports and entertainment venues.”
Barrie said:
“I am delighted to receive the Prime Minister’s award. It is brilliant to have this recognition for Box4Kids and I hope it leads to more VIP boxes being donated which will result in many more memorable experiences for seriously ill children.”