UK: Aston Villa fan faces ultimate sacrifice for #RedWednesday

Aston Villa fan Chris Martin challenged to wear Birmingham City shirt © St Thomas Aquinas

Source: ACN

A die-hard Aston Villa supporter has vowed to wear a Birmingham City shirt if he hits his fundraising target for a charity supporting persecuted Christians.

Christopher Martin, Principal of St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School and Sixth Form in Kings Norton, admits the prospect fills him with dread, but says it is a sacrifice worth making for Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

"It's my worst nightmare," he said. "I have never worn a City shirt in my life and I've no intention of doing it again - only for the best cause."

The challenge is part of ACN's 10th anniversary #RedWednesday campaign on 18th November.

The annual fundraiser highlights the plight of persecuted and suffering Christians and other vulnerable communities around the world.

On the day, Mr Martin will lead 200 pupils on a sponsored "Walk of Witness" around a nearby nature reserve, helping raise awareness and funds for those facing persecution because of their faith.

He said: "I wanted to drum up some excitement for the children and get them talking. Quite a few pupils tease me in the corridors saying 'Up the Villa' or 'Come on Blues' so it's a bit of a running joke, so I thought I'd bite the bullet."

The school, which has raised thousands of pounds for ACN over the years, is known for its creative support of the charity.

Two years ago, all 1,200 pupils formed a giant crucifix using coloured cards to make a stand against the persecution of Christians.

More recently, the school hired a bouncy castle where students could literally take "a leap of faith".

He said: "They have to jump off a ledge… basically do you have the courage, would you step out in faith or stand up for other people, that's the kind of thing that we have done."

The headteacher said the aim is to help young people look beyond their own lives and develop a sense of solidarity with Christians suffering across the globe.

He added: "In an age when children and people can be so focused on themselves, or what they see on their own social media feeds, we want them to have sense of what's going on in the wider world, educate them in that sense, take them out of their social media circle into a greater understanding of the global Church and what is happening in the world."

St Thomas Aquinas will also provide the music for a special #RedWednesday Mass at St Chad's Cathedral on 18th November at 12.15pm, alongside contributions from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College. Staff and students are being encouraged to wear red in support of the campaign.

"The cathedral will be full of schoolchildren from all over Birmingham," said Mr Martin. "It will be a powerful witness of faith and solidarity."

Whether he ends up in claret and blue or Birmingham City blue now depends on how much the school community can raise. For one devoted Villa fan, the stakes could hardly be higher.

To sponsor Mr Martin click HERE

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org