We talk to Sam Fletcher-Goodwin, the co-founder of Kids’ Village, about the charity building the UK’s first holiday village where children with critical illness and their families will stay for free

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

I work in lots of different roles following various passions. I’m the co-founder of Kids’ Village, a sport and children’s presenter, producer, author and speaker. I was lucky to survive cancer as a child and I believe that the hope, joy and escape I experienced on a holiday to a place in America called Give Kids’ The World Village played a big part in that. With Kids’ Village we are building the UK’s first holiday village just for children with critical illness and their families to stay for free.

IT’S WHAT I DO

As the founder, I’ve done almost every role there is within Kids’ Village, from working on planning to accounting and designing the logo! But now that we have expanded the team, I’m able to focus on the bits I’m good at – social media, comms and speaking at events and to interested donors. I’m co-host of the daily children’s podcast Today with Tonies for the brand Tonies; I work in football for the BBC and Stoke City FC; I host T20 blast games for the ECB and have a weekly sports show on BBC Radio Stoke. My first children’s book has also recently been published, and I’m working on the next one.

BIGGEST SUCCESS

A breakthrough for me in presenting was hosting cricket for the Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston. I’m also really proud of getting the planning permission to build Kids’ Village. And early this year a team of us set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Kids’ Village and I’m incredibly proud to have made it to the top. I now wear a ring with Tanzanite that we bought after the climb to remind me that I can do hard things.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED

A big one for me is to measure backwards. I’m always looking for the next big thing that I’d like to achieve so I find that I’m mostly focused on the future, but this can lead to feeling disappointed about where I am now. So, I’ve learned to look backwards, and it changes my perspective completely. I feel grateful and I’m reminded that the version of me that was lying in a hospital bed or trying to break into radio would be amazed of where I am today. A shout-out to my dad, Gary, for sharing this powerful lesson with me!

WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE

Professionally, building and opening Kids’ Village is just the start of how I’d like to support children and families. Personally, I’m incredibly lucky with the most amazing family, group of friends and wonderful husband. I’d love to have my own little family and continue to live life finding fun every day.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BRUM

I’m forever an ambassador for how great Birmingham is. My favourite thing is probably the food! We have soooo many incredible restaurants that I love.

DOWNTIME

Travelling is my absolute favourite thing. But I like to do so many different things – eating out, grabbing coffee, watching my husband play cricket, watching football (or any sport really!), running, the gym, walking my dog, shopping…