The Charlie Fogarty Foundation
Charity 1196934
Overview
Summary
The Charlie Fogarty Foundation appears to use sport as a route to inclusion rather than as an end in itself. Its purpose is shaped by lived experience of traumatic brain injury and recovery, combining practical support to remove participation barriers with a public narrative centred on resilience. The organisation may occupy a distinctive bridge between disability support, youth development and sport, though the available evidence does not yet show how its charitable services are delivered in practice.
Operational geography
Coverage: Regional
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence: the Charity Commission’s current register entry states that the charity operates in Birmingham City, Solihull and Warwickshire, and that it provides services to young people and people with disabilities through sport-related facilities, equipment and financial assistance.
- Reasonable interpretation: because its declared current operating area spans Birmingham, Solihull and Warwickshire, its overall operational footprint is regional rather than neighbourhood-, district- or Birmingham-citywide only.
- There is no current evidence identifying particular Birmingham wards, recognised places, service venues, coaching locations or beneficiary catchments. Evidence that it operates in Birmingham cannot safely be converted into ward-level operational areas.
- The charity’s Shirley address is outside Birmingham and should be treated as a contact or correspondence address, not evidence of an operational site. The Charity Commission records that the charity does not own or lease land or property.
- The 2025 accounts show substantial expenditure on sports coaches, supporting active delivery, but do not identify where coaching took place or name delivery partners.
- The official website refers to Birmingham Children’s Hospital in Charlie Fogarty’s personal history, not as a current delivery partnership or a site operated by the foundation. No material current partnerships extending the charity’s Birmingham reach were evidenced.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual report, impact report or service register identifying the locations of sports coaching, equipment provision or financial-assistance recipients.
- Current information from the foundation naming delivery venues, schools, sports clubs or other partners in Birmingham.
- Confirmation of whether delivery is commissioned or regularly provided across Birmingham, or concentrated in particular wards or neighbourhoods.
Areas of work
- Amateur Sport
- Disability
Who they help
- Children/young People
- People With Disabilities
How they help
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Sport is positioned as an inclusion mechanism
The Foundation appears to treat access to sport as a means of improving health, education, confidence and social participation for disabled and able-bodied young people, rather than simply funding sporting activity.
Why it matters
This suggests its potential partners and outcomes extend beyond sports clubs to disability, youth wellbeing and education organisations.
Show evidence
“The charity provides facilities, equipment and financial assistance to remove barriers to participation in sports.”
Source:Charity Commission“Its objects include protecting physical and mental health, advancing education and developing young people's skills and capacities.”
Source:Charity Commission
Lived experience appears central to its identity
The Foundation appears to derive both its motivation and public voice from Charlie Fogarty's experience of severe brain injury, rehabilitation and return to public life.
Why it matters
This may give the organisation unusual credibility with young people and families facing sudden disability, while also making its identity closely associated with one founder's story.
Show evidence
“Charlie Fogarty suffered a severe traumatic brain injury at age 15 and spent time at Birmingham Children's Hospital and The Children's Trust.”
Source:Organisation“The Foundation was started to raise money to support other people needing additional help and support.”
Source:Organisation
The public-facing model may combine support with advocacy
Alongside charitable support, Charlie Fogarty's speaking at football clubs, schools, universities and corporate events may create an informal awareness-raising and motivational function.
Why it matters
This could make the organisation a connector between sport, education and disability awareness, not solely a provider of material assistance.
Show evidence
“Charlie Fogarty tours English football clubs, schools, universities and corporate events as an inspirational speaker.”
Source:Organisation“The charity helps children and young people and people with disabilities.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which grants, equipment, facilities or services the Foundation has actually provided, and to how many beneficiaries.
- Whether it works through schools, clubs, hospitals, rehabilitation services or other local partners.
- How the Foundation reaches able-bodied and disabled young people across the West Midlands.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports, accounts and impact reporting showing expenditure, beneficiaries and funded activity.
- Details of delivery partners, referral routes, geographic reach and examples of support provided.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
To advance in life, relieve the needs of and help disabled and able bodied young people resident in the West Midlands through the provision of facilities, equipment and financial assistance designed to remove barriers to participation in sports.
Charity objects
TO ADVANCE IN LIFE, RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF AND HELP DISABLED AND ABLE BODIED YOUNG PEOPLE RESIDENT IN THE WEST MIDLANDS THROUGH THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DESIGNED TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS WITH THE AIM OF: A) PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING; B) ADVANCING THEIR EDUCATION; AND C) DEVELOPING THEIR SKILLS, CAPACITIES AND CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY AS MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS. (FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CLAUSE “SPORTS” ARE DEFINED AS SPORTS OR GAMES WHICH PROMOTE HEALTH BY INVOLVING PHYSICAL OR MENTAL SKILL OR EXERTION).