Corporate and Social Responsibility

Football Development Education Social Inclusion CSR

Sustainability Report

Download the Sustainability Report 09/10

Signed Memorabilia

The limited amount of signed items that we acquire for the club, are solely intended for use with our charity partners such as the Acorns Hospice to assist in their fundraising activities.

Please note we are unable to assist with requests for signed goods or any unsolicited items brought or sent to the club for signatures.

We therefore kindly ask you not bring in or send cards, shirts, footballs etc.

Requests for Fundraising

Over the past few seasons, the number of requests for charitable donations has increased to such a level that we have had to close applications at an early stage of the season.

Following a review of our policies, we have decided to apply the following change, which we believe will be the most beneficial for local charities:

Aston Villa is fully committed to its community work and for the 2009-10 season we will directly support a number of charities based in the central Birmingham region. This will cover a wide range of causes including healthcare/associated illnesses, the elderly, hospitals and social care. We will donate items directly to these charities.

In addition to this, we will also support a limited number of national campaigns directly, including Help the Heroes, Children in Need and Comic Relief.

Villa in Harmony

Villa have taken another step towards embracing equality and diversity throughout the club after being handed the intermediate level of the Racial Equality Standard, awarded by Kick it Out.

The club achieved the preliminary award in May 2006 and the evidence we produced for the next level was judged successful this month.

Lee Preece, VIH project manager, said: "We are delighted to have achieved the next level of this important standard.

"Villa appreciates that Birmingham is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Europe, if not the world.

"We need to ensure we have the skills to welcome different cultures to Villa Park and ensure they are comfortable in our home.

Lee added: "Tackling racism has been high on the agenda for football clubs and organisations like Kick it Out for many years and they have made great strides towards eradicating the obvious problems.

"But the bigger challenge now is continuing to create a welcoming environment for all faiths, creeds and colours who may want to show their support for Aston Villa."

Villa in Harmony represents Aston Villa Football Club's commitment to achieving equality across all areas of the business. We aim to provide a welcoming environment for supporters, local community, customers, employees, contacts and competitors. We intend for Aston Villa to be an inclusive institution of equal opportunity and free from discrimination of any kind. We embrace all, regardless of age, colour, ethnic and national origin, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status or disability. Villa in Harmony represents equality everywhere.

The world over, players and fans from all walks of life unite to play and watch football. On the pitch, racism and racist abuse is not tolerated and here at Aston Villa, it is not tolerated off the pitch either. Racial abuse tarnishes the worldwide language of football. Call the Kick It Out incident line: 0800 169 9414 You can take a stand and you can speak out against any form of racial abuse, chanting or harassment you may hear, in confidence. Blow the whistle on racism!