The O2 selects YoungMinds as its official charity
The O2, the world’s most popular music, leisure, and entertainment venue, has today announced its new official charity as YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health. As part of a two-year long partnership, the venue will work closely with YoungMinds to raise vital funds and awareness of their work with young people, parents, and caregivers across the UK.
Through a series of initiatives including ticket donations, onsite activations, staff fundraising and volunteering opportunities, the partnership with YoungMinds will form a core part of the venue’s purpose-led strategy for 2023, which is underpinned by its Good Vibes All Round programme – The O2’s initiative to promote its work in relation to sustainability, accessibility, charity, and community.
Steve Sayer, VP & General Manager of The O2 said: “It’s really important to us that we engage with a charity that not only resonates with those who visit The O2, but also those that work here, and that’s exactly why we put the decision of the venue’s official charity in the hands of our Employee Network Groups and wider workforce. YoungMinds was their choice, and I couldn’t be prouder that as a venue, we’ll be supporting the fantastic work that they do with young people all over the UK, to ensure that they have access to mental health support. Music is an outlet and passion for many young people and with over 10 million visitors a year coming to The O2, we have a unique platform to promote the brilliant work YoungMinds do to a highly relevant audience for them. We’ve got some exciting plans in the pipeline already and look forward to working closely with their team to truly make a difference.”
Michelle Kerrigan, Head of Relationship Development at YoungMinds said: “We are thrilled that The O2 has chosen YoungMinds to be their official charity for the next two years. Record numbers of children and young people are in need of mental health support, but far too many are not getting the help they need when they first reach out. The money raised from The O2 will help us to continue to deliver digital information and guidance to young people, and to equip the adults around a young person to support them with their mental health. We are excited to work with The O2 and spread the message that no young person is alone with their mental health.”
The O2 launched Good Vibes All Around in 2019 and has supported a range of UK and international charities during that time, including Nordoff Robins, Music Venue Trust, the BRIT School and MQ Mental Health Research. Also under this initiative, The O2 was the first arena to be awarded the Attitude is Everything’s Accessibility Gold Standard, a Charter of Best Practice across the UK for deaf and disabled people’s access to live music. In 2022, the world-famous venue was also the first arena in England to be awarded the Greener Arena certification by AGF, in recognition of the venue’s sustainability practices and commitments.
The O2, which has welcomed more than 100 million visitors since opening in 2007, is due to welcome a range of world-famous artists to the arena in 2023, with headline performances from Elton John, Madonna, Peter Kay, Blink-182, Shania Twain, Kevin Hart and more.
ENDS
For more information on The O2, please contact:
Communications.team@theo2.co.uk
For more information on YoungMinds, please contact:
About The O2
The O2, which is owned and operated by AEG Europe, is the world’s most popular music, entertainment and leisure venue and has been visited by over 100 million people since opening in 2007. Playing host to over 300 events a year, The O2 is home to The O2 arena which was recognised as Billboard’s ‘Venue of the Decade’ for the 2020’s, and club-sized music venue indigo at The O2.
A full day-out destination, there’s plenty to explore at The O2 including Up at The O2, a climbing experience across the world famous roof; Outlet Shopping at The O2, with up to 70% off RRP on over 60 designer brands including adidas, Calvin Klein, Levi’s, Nike, Superdry, and Tommy Hilfiger; interactive football experience TOCA Social; ‘gaming battleground’ BOOM BATTLE BAR; Cineworld, London’s largest cinema with 19 screens; the 12-lane boutique Hollywood Bowl; Oxygen Freejumping trampoline park; immersive dining experience Mamma Mia! The Party; interactive photo experience Selfie Factory, and over 30 bars and restaurants.
Conveniently located just 15 minutes from Central London, The O2 is easily accessible via road, tube, bus or boat.
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About AEG Europe
AEG Europe creates communities, places and spaces that deliver memorable moments through live entertainment and sports, giving the world reason to cheer.
AEG Europe is a subsidiary of AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. AEG Europe’s extensive portfolio of live entertainment and sports assets across the region includes: an array of best-in-class venues, such as The O2and Eventim Apollo in London; Barclays Arena in Hamburg; Mercedes-Benz Arena, Uber Platz and Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin; and Accor Arena in Paris; as well as renowned music festivals, including American Express presents BST Hyde Park in London and Rock en Seine in Paris. Our venues host some of the world’s best sports events and are home to prestigious sports franchises, including AEG’s own Berlin Eisbären ice hockey team at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Colleagues across Europe work together to create world-class live entertainment and sports experiences. AEG’s venue teams develop and operate best-in-class arenas and districts; AEG Presents promotes and manages concerts and tours, oversees renowned venues and produces some of the world’s leading music festivals; AXS Ticketing connects fans to events through specialist technology solutions; and AEG Global Partnerships links corporate brands into the company’s world-leading network of assets.
About YoungMinds
YoungMinds is leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what. YoungMinds provides young people with tools to look after their mental health. They empower adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And they amplify young voices to change the world we live in.
For more advice, information, and resources, visit https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
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