Rally for Change

Why we are doing it

Earlier this year, on one of the hottest days of the year, a group of ordinary people set out to run 52 kilometres, on foot, along the canal, from Stratford-upon-Avon to the doors of Birmingham Children's Hospital.

They ran for the children who walk through those doors for treatment they don't understand.

And for the families who sleep beside them, night after night.

For those children, the hospital isn't a destination. It's a home they never asked for.

So on an otherwise normal Thursday, this team chose to do something extraordinary.

Sent off by the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon, they ran not for a medal, but to send a message to those children…

You are not what happened to you. You are what you choose to become.

We pledged to raise £10,000, and we are almost there, so this tournament is how we close that gap.

A documentary following the community's Birmingham Children's Hospital journey is on its way, and it will premiere in the MediCinema inside the hospital itself.

What the event is

A morning of padel, community and networking.

When

Friday 16 October 2026, 10am to 12pm

Where

Padel & Play, Stratford-upon-Avon

Format

Americano, doubles on court, individual scores

Places

Registration has closed

Level

Open to all levels

• Everyone plays

  An Americano: partners rotate all morning and points tally as you go. No knockout, so nobody is sent home after one bad game.

• You do not have to play

  Come and support instead. There is a viewing area, seating around the courts and a live leaderboard, so you are part of the morning without playing a point.

• You do not need to be any good

  Plenty of people taking part will be picking up a bat for the first time.

• Run by the Padel & Play team

  They run and score the tournament on the day. All you have to do is turn up.

• A few words, and a prize ceremony

  Rohan and someone from Birmingham Children's Hospital will say a few words, and the morning closes with prizes.